Okonjo-Iweala urges women to lead Africa’s health transformation

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that Africa’s health sector must begin to reflect the women who power it, adding that women must begin to occupy leadership positions and shape policy across the continent. She made the remarks at the official launch of Women in Public Health Leadership […]

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that Africa’s health sector must begin to reflect the women who power it, adding that women must begin to occupy leadership positions and shape policy across the continent.
She made the remarks at the official launch of Women in Public Health Leadership for Africa (WIPHLA) held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, a milestone initiative aimed at strengthening female leadership and representation in public health across African nations.
Commending the vision of WIPHLA’s founders led by Dr. Charity Osifochenge, Okonjo-Iweala said the platform signaled renewed confidence in Africa’s future, noting that women remained the backbone of the continent’s health workforce, yet were noticeably missing where major health decisions were made.
“Women are present at the forefront of public health services but absent at the decision table,” she said, urging African women to step forward, assume leadership roles and drive reforms in the health sector.
In his goodwill message, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, praised the contributions of women healthcare professionals, particularly in reducing polio, HIV and maternal mortality and pledged that the Benue State Government would continue supporting initiatives that strengthened women’s leadership in public health.
Also speaking, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balare, emphasised the growing responsibility placed on women, stressing the need for female leaders to double their efforts in reshaping Africa’s health outcomes.
A fireside chat featuring leading practitioners: Dr. Njidika Udochi, CEO Summit Medical Group; Dr. Evelyn Abayaah Issah, Co-founder WIPHLA; and public health expert Dr. Mama Awa Toure—spotlighted resilience, focus and mentorship as essentials for women charting leadership paths in health management.
Drawing on her experience managing the COVID-19 pandemic, former Kaduna State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed Baloni, recalled how partnership and collaboration made Kaduna Nigeria’s best-performing state during the crisis.
The launch of WIPHLA marks a major milestone for women in Africa’s health ecosystem.