By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African health regulators to strengthen the regulation of digital healthcare and artificial intelligence (AI) to protect patients and improve access to quality healthcare.
He said technologies such as telemedicine, electronic medical records, digital prescriptions, remote monitoring and mobile applications could help extend healthcare services to underserved communities.
President Mahama made the call at the opening of the 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Accra on Monday, August 24, 2026.
“We must govern the digital transformation of healthcare wisely,” he said.
The President, however, warned that the increasing use of technology in healthcare also comes with risks that must be properly managed.
He recalled an incident in Ghana where a digital medical records system was switched off following disagreements with the service provider.
According to him, the situation forced authorities to return to archived paper records while they sought alternatives to the system.
He said the incident demonstrated the need for strong safeguards when countries rely on privately managed digital health systems.
“The answer is not to resist technology. The answer is to shape it in the public interest,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama also cautioned against allowing artificial intelligence to replace the professional judgement and responsibility of health workers.
“Artificial intelligence must support, not displace, professional judgement and human responsibility,” he said.
He further warned that AI systems used in healthcare could produce inaccurate results if they were developed using data that did not adequately represent African populations.
He said African countries must therefore play a greater role in developing and regulating health technologies.
“Africa must participate in setting standards, generating evidence, and designing technology that reflects our populations and realities,” President Mahama said.
The President also called for health regulation to become an integral part of Africa’s health security system.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated the need for countries to prepare for future health emergencies before they occur.
“COVID-19 reminded us that the next emergency is not a question of if, but when,” he said.
President Mahama identified emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance and climate-related health threats as major challenges facing African countries.
He urged health regulators to adopt the One Health approach, which promotes collaboration among human health, animal health and environmental institutions.
“Regulators must embrace the One Health approach and work with public health authorities, veterinary regulators, environmental agencies, laboratories, and research institutions,” he said.
President Mahama said stronger cooperation and effective regulation would help African countries respond more effectively to emerging health threats while protecting patients and strengthening public confidence in healthcare systems.
