H.E President Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia

H.E Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia

Hon Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Health, Zambia

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization

Prof Margaret Gyapong, Director of the Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and CPHIA 2023 Co-Chair

Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand before you today with a profound sense of honor and privilege as we gather for the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our host, the Government of Zambia, who has been an excellent partner in shaping this year’s conference.

The theme of this year  underscores a fundamental truth: that health is not only a matter of medical science but also of policy, equity, and global cooperation. 

Breaking barriers requires us to think beyond the confines of traditional healthcare models. It beckons us to harness technology’s power, embrace equity and social justice principles, and foster robust collaborations that span borders and disciplines. It demands a concerted effort to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable among us.

It challenges us to look the barriers that have long impeded Africa’s progress in public health and calls upon us to redefine our position in the global health architecture. Together, we can break, and we will break the barriers that have hindered our progress for far too long and we can forge a new public health order for Africa—one that is resilient, equitable, and capable of meeting the challenges of the future. 

This conference is significant, marking the eve of Africa CDC’s one-year anniversary as an autonomous institution of the African Union. 

Africa CDC has established itself as the premium public health institution of the continent, guided by the visionary leadership of African Heads of State and government. Under this stewardship, Africa CDC has emerged as a beacon of hope and progress, working tirelessly to enhance the health and well-being of the African people. As we gather here today, we not only celebrate this remarkable milestone, but also recognize our Heads of State and Government for their remarkable leadership.