Sierra Leone to Host 27th ECOWAS Health Ministers’ Assembly in April

Sierra Leone will host the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from April 20 to 25, 2026, in Freetown, bringing together health leaders from across the region to address critical public health challenges.

The high-level meeting, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), will be held under the theme “Advancing Malaria Elimination through an Integrated Regional Strategy.” The Assembly serves as ECOWAS’ top political platform for shaping regional health cooperation, enabling ministers to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and adopt key policies that will improve health outcomes across West Africa.

Malaria will dominate discussions, as the disease remains one of the region’s most pressing public health concerns. The ECOWAS region records over 112 million malaria cases annually, resulting in more than 310,000 deaths, most of them among children under five and pregnant women.
Side Events to Address Broader Health Priorities

Ahead of the main Assembly, a series of strategic regional meetings will take place in Freetown. From April 17 to 18, stakeholders will gather for a Regional Meeting on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health under the theme “Translating Research Findings into Action.” The event will focus on bridging the gap between research and policy implementation.

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A Regional Dialogue on Health Financing in West Africa will follow on April 20 and 21, centered on “Advancing Sustainable, Equitable, and Resilient Health Financing for Universal Health Coverage in ECOWAS.” The dialogue is expected to explore reforms aimed at strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and promoting equitable financing systems.

The Assembly will also coincide with World Malaria Day on April 25, offering an opportunity to reinforce political commitment toward malaria elimination.
Structured Programme of Meetings

The statutory meetings will begin on April 20 with the WAHO Liaison Officers’ session, followed by the ECOWAS Health Experts Committee meeting from April 21 to 22. The WAHO Partners’ Forum will take place from April 22 to 23, culminating in the ministerial session scheduled for April 24 and 25.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, described the event as a significant opportunity for the country and the region.

“Sierra Leone is honoured to host the 27th Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS. We hope this gathering will go beyond a conference and serve as a platform for concrete commitments and coordinated actions to sustainably improve the health of West African populations,” he said.

Dr Demby added that Sierra Leone aims to use the Assembly to strengthen regional cooperation, promote evidence-based policymaking, and accelerate high-impact interventions, particularly in maternal and child health and the fight against communicable diseases.

Also speaking, the Director General of WAHO, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aïssi, highlighted the broader significance of the meeting.

“The Assembly represents the highest political decision-making body for health within ECOWAS. It provides a unique opportunity for Member States to reinforce commitment, mobilise resources, and accelerate progress toward resilient and equitable health systems,” he said.

He stressed that regional collaboration remains vital in addressing cross-border health challenges, including epidemic-prone diseases, climate-related health impacts, and the need for sustainable health financing.

The Assembly is expected to result in concrete strategies to accelerate malaria elimination across West Africa, with a focus on strengthening prevention efforts, improving surveillance systems, promoting innovation, and ensuring sustainable funding for malaria control programmes.