Ghana will host an Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly focused on ending AIDS by 2030, reducing preventable maternal deaths and strengthening health systems across the continent, officials said Wednesday.

Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Kenneth Abotsi signed the Host Agreement at AU Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa on behalf of the government of Ghana.

The summit is scheduled for 21-22 July.

Ambassador Moussa Mohammed Omar, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, signed for the Commission. He thanked Ghana for agreeing to host and reaffirmed the Commission’s partnership with Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the AU.

In remarks after the signing, Dr. Abotsi said the decision carried symbolic weight for Ghana.

“We express profound appreciation to the African Union Commission for the opportunity afforded to Ghana to host this Summit,” he said.

Dr. Abotsi said the summit’s expected outcomes align with President John Mahama’s Reset Agenda, and that Ghana is committed to prioritizing health sovereignty in Africa.

The meeting will bring together AU heads of state to discuss efforts to end AIDS by 2030, tackle diseases affecting the continent, address maternal mortality, and build stronger health systems.