Growing up in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana, Rabiatu Atule Akamim's family experienced firsthand the impact of a health crisis that forever changed their perspective on food and well-being. Her father, Abdulai Akamim, was diagnosed with high blood pressure (BP) and later developed diabetes after not being consistent with his medication. At the time, Rabiatu, a young child, didn’t fully understand what those diagnoses meant, but she saw the significant lifestyle changes that followed.

Her mother, Hawa Abezaya, quickly adapted the family’s cooking to focus on health. "We stopped using salt, pepper, seasoning cubes, and fresh meat," Rabiatu recalled. "Instead, we used more dawadawa, smoked guinea fowl, and herrings.” These ingredients, though never new to them, became the cornerstone of their meals.

Her father, despite the diagnosis, lived for over 30 more years after making these dietary changes. His passing three years ago, at the age of 85, left a lasting impact on Rabiatu and cemented her belief that healthy eating can lead to a longer and more fulfilling life.

Rabiatu, a graduate with a first degree in ICT at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a master’s degree in Public Relations at Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in 2014 and 2020, respectively, has always been a strong advocate for promoting a healthy lifestyle. During her studies, she often cooked for her study group mates, who were quick to encourage her to commercialize her passion for healthy cooking.

The idea sparked something in Rabiatu. With support and guidance from her family, she took the leap and founded Dawadawa Jollof Delight, a restaurant that blends healthy ingredients with the rich flavors of Ghanaian cuisine.

Rabiatu prepares dishes and beverages inspired by the culinary traditions of Northern Ghana. The menu includes dawadawa jollof, millet TZ with bito soup, ayoyo soup, dry okro soup, tubani, zongo rice, zoomkom, tamarind juice, and baobab juice. Her signature dish is dawadawa jollof with guinea fowl meat, made with shea butter, local rice, and flavored with dawadawa spice.

"At Dawadawa Jollof Delight, we focus on creating meals that are not only tasty but also nourishing," Rabiatu said. "Our Jollof rice is made with the rich flavors of dawadawa and locally sourced ingredients, which are packed with nutrients. We want to show that eating healthy doesn't mean sacrificing taste."

Rabiatu’s restaurant is just one small piece of a much bigger puzzle. As the conversation shifts towards prevention-first healthcare in Africa amidst foreign cut, businesses like Dawadawa Jollof Delight are leading the way in integrating food as medicine. The key takeaway? Health doesn’t just start in the hospital—it begins at home, at the dinner table, and in the choices Africans make every day.

In essence, her true life story ties directly to the conversation about Primary Healthcare (PHC) at Kigali in Rwanda. As experts at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 discussed shifting health systems from treatment to prevention, Rabiatu’s restaurant embodies the very principles of PHC.

The message of prevention at AHAIC 2025

At the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 at Kigali in Rwanda, which ended on Wednesday, March 5, a central theme of the plenary discussions was the strong link between Africa’s economic growth and prosperity and investments in health systems.

The conference took place amid significant challenges facing African communities and health systems, where speakers emphasized the need to redesign Africa’s health systems to address the dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Experts noted that Africa is moving from a focus on infectious diseases to a rise in NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. They emphasized the need for lifestyle changes to tackle NCDs, with healthcare workers crucial in educating communities and promoting prevention, early screening, and technology use.

Chief Executive Officer of Amref Health Africa, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, stressed that Africa's health systems must be restructured to prioritize prevention over treatment. "Hospitals should be seen as garages for repair, while health is created at home," he stated.

The group CEO noted that primary healthcare (PHC), clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and immunization are crucial preventive measures that can significantly reduce future healthcare costs.

"We must focus on clean water for everybody, we must focus on sanitation for everybody, and we must focus on food and food systems to stop NCDs risks," he said. "We must also focus on immunization."

Dr. Gitahi mentioned that making PHC the central pillar of Africa's health systems would greatly strengthen the foundation of healthcare across the continent.

"If we can redesign our health system to make these the core pillars, the center will hold, but it requires bold decisions from policymakers," he stated.

Advocacy for a fundamental rethinking of how African countries allocate resources to health and a return to the principles of the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration was a key focus.

Dr. Gitahi explained that while PHC is vital for serving most of Africa's population, the majority of funding tends to go towards tertiary and secondary healthcare, leaving primary healthcare underfunded and overlooked.

"When you have little money but most of it is geared towards tertiary and secondary healthcare, it means that African countries are waiting for the floor to get wet to mop it, instead of stopping the leaking tap," Dr. Gitahi said that for Africa’s health system to thrive and endure, the focus must shift to addressing the "leaking tap"—primary healthcare.

 “If we want sustainable health systems, we must redirect investments to PHC, where 80% of our people seek care.”

The outgoing WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, reflected on the significant progress Africa’s health systems have made over the years, saying that the continent has faced pandemics, eliminated deadly viruses, and transformed fatal diseases into manageable conditions.

Despite these achievements, Dr. Moeti said that significant challenges persist, pointing to the deepening connection between health, economic stability, and the environment, warning that widening economic disparities, climate change, and conflict continue to threaten healthcare systems.

 “One constant has been our collective commitment to building a healthier, stronger Africa.”

The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said that the world can become a healthier, safer, and more peaceful place through leadership and cooperation.

 “Together, we can harness the power of science, leadership, and cooperation for a healthier, safer, and more peaceful Africa and the world.”

Leaders calls for innovative funding solutions amid global decline in aid

A central topic at AHAIC 2025 was achieving health equity across Africa. With many African countries experiencing a decline in donor funding, speakers discussed the importance of homegrown solutions and regional collaboration for financing and sustaining healthcare initiatives.

According to the acting Deputy Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Raji Tajudeen, there is the need to address social, economic, and environmental determinants of health to ensure affordable and equitable healthcare for all.

"Achieving quality healthcare at an affordable cost is no small feat," Dr. Tajudeen stated. "Rwanda has shown that it is possible. By building a strong primary healthcare system, they have set an example for the entire continent."

Dr. Tajudeen indicated the importance of prioritizing the population's needs and empowering communities to take charge of their health. He explained that primary healthcare goes beyond clinics and hospitals, focusing on creating a health system where everyone can access care without financial barriers.

Dr. Tajudeen commended Rwanda's President, Paul Kagame’s efforts, showing that investments in health bring both tangible and intangible benefits. He also observed President Kagame’s leadership in Rwanda’s response to health crises, such as the Marburg outbreak.

“Rwanda’s ability to manage and contain the Marburg outbreak while reducing fatalities shows just how far the country’s healthcare system has come,” he said.

Rwanda’s healthcare success goes beyond technical factors, driven by leadership, vision, and a commitment to progress. President Kagame has consistently advocated for investing in the health sector to secure the country’s future.

Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, also stated the critical role of community-based healthcare, particularly in light of declining health financing.

“Even in the face of declining financing, we must take bold, decisive actions to strengthen community-based healthcare. Leveraging technology, including AI, can enhance efficiency, accessibility, and overall effectiveness,” Dr Nsanzimana said.

“The centre of our health system on the continent must hold,” he emphasized. “Even as financing declines, we must find ways to increase it – whether through domestic sources or partnerships with those who see health as an investment in humanity.”

The minister is confident that Africa can find alternative funding sources to fill the gaps left by the significant cuts to US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding. “There’s always money somewhere,” he remarked.

“When some of our medical students in surgery and midwifery faced the risk of halting their long-term training due to a sudden stop in funding, we reassessed our priorities. We looked at cross-sector health projects and discovered over 5 billion Rwandan francs (more than $5 million) allocated to short-term training and workshops.”

“We asked ourselves: ‘Do we keep funding weekly training that people can read online, or do we invest in long-term workforce programs?’,” he said. Rwanda has now redirected those funds to keep students enrolled, shifting the current workshops to online platforms.

He also mentioned that, Africa must “think beyond traditional funding models and use what we have to meet our most urgent needs.” A key issue discussed by over 1,800 delegates from 56 countries who attended the conference.

Acting WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, spoke about the importance of African-led health innovations and successful homegrown solutions that have made a significant impact on health challenges.

"The question is no longer whether we have the resources, but whether we have the will and courage to act collectively," Ihekweazu stated.

Artificial intelligence and climate change

In addition to urgent discussions on funding, the AHAIC conference also addressed topics such as climate-resilient health policies, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and the importance of strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Africa CDC Director of External Relations and Strategic Management, Dr. Claudia Shilumani, warned about the growing health threats linked to climate change.

She said that Africa CDC is currently monitoring 243 health threats across the continent, with 84 significant events recorded in the first few weeks of 2025.

Artificial intelligence was another key focus of the conference, with discussions centered on how technology can be used to improve diagnostics, treatment, and hospital management.

Delegates recognized that while Africa requires thousands of trained healthcare professionals to meet growing demands, AI-driven solutions could help bridge the gap by enhancing efficiency in service delivery.

With the Africa CDC collaborating closely with the African Medicines Agency to streamline drug approvals and distribution continent-wide, efforts to align policies across Africa are gaining momentum.

There is also a push to fast-track the qualification process for local manufacturers, ensuring that national health strategies align with continental frameworks like the Africa Safety Strategic Plan.

The conference, themed "Connected for Change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health,” brought together policymakers, health experts, and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss sustainable, equitable, and resilient health systems.