Growing up in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region of Ghana, Rabiatu Atule Akamim’s family experienced 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 due to inconsistencies with his medication. At the time, Rabiatu, a young child, didn’t fully understand the significance of these diagnoses, but she witnessed 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 recalls. “Instead, we used more Dawadawa, smoked guinea fowl, and herrings.” These ingredients, though familiar, became the cornerstone of their meals.
Despite his diagnosis, Rabiatu’s father lived for over 30 more years after making these dietary changes. He passed away three years ago, at the age of 85, leaving a lasting impact on Rabiatu and cementing her belief that healthy eating can lead to a longer, more vibrant life.
Rabiatu, a graduate with a first degree in ICT from GIMPA and a master’s degree in Public Relations from GIJ in 2014 and 2020 respectively, has always been an advocate for promoting a healthy lifestyle through entrepreneurship.
While at university, she often cooked for her study group, who encouraged her to commercialise her passion for healthy cooking. The idea sparked something in Rabiatu. With the support and guidance of her family, she founded Dawadawa Jollof Delight—a restaurant blending healthy ingredients with the vibrant flavours of Ghanaian cuisine.
Photo credit: AHAIC official
Rabiatu prepares dishes 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 flavoured with Dawadawa spice.
“At Dawadawa Jollof Delight, we focus on creating meals that are not only tasty but also nourishing,” Rabiatu says. “Our Jollof rice is made with the rich flavours of Dawadawa and locally sourced ingredients, which are packed with nutrients. We want to show that eating healthily 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, businesses like Dawadawa Jollof Delight are leading the way by 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 daily choices Africans make.
Her life story ties directly into the conversation about Primary Healthcare (PHC) at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. As experts 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 AHAIC 2025 in Kigali, which ended on 5th March, a central theme of the plenary discussions was the strong link between Africa’s economic growth and prosperity and investments in health systems.
This year’s conference took place amid significant challenges, with speakers emphasising the need to redesign Africa’s health systems to address the dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Africa is increasingly facing a shift from infectious diseases to the growing prevalence of NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Panelists stressed that addressing NCDs requires a lifestyle shift, with healthcare workers playing a crucial role in educating communities and promoting behaviour change.
Photo credit: Chikwe Ihekweazu
Strategies like preventative health measures, early screening, and the use of technology were highlighted as critical approaches to combat this escalating health crisis.
Dr Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, stressed that Africa’s health systems must be restructured to prioritise prevention over treatment.
He aptly stated, “Hospitals should be seen as garages for repair, while health is created at home.” This underscores the importance of primary healthcare (PHC), clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and immunisation as key 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 NCD risks,” he said. “We must also focus on immunisation.”
Dr Gitahi emphasised that making primary healthcare, clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and immunisation central to Africa’s health systems would strengthen the continent’s healthcare foundation. “If we can redesign our health system to make these the core pillars, the centre will hold, but it requires bold decisions from policymakers,” he stated.
Photo credit: Chikwe Ihekweazu
He also advocated for a fundamental rethinking of how African countries allocate resources to health, urging a return to the principles of the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration. According to Dr Gitahi, primary healthcare is essential for providing care to the majority of Africa’s population, yet most funding typically goes towards tertiary and secondary healthcare, leaving primary healthcare underfunded and neglected.
“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,” he said, stressing that the focus must shift to addressing the “leaking tap”—primary healthcare—for Africa’s health system to thrive.
“If we want sustainable health systems, we must redirect investments to PHC, where 80% of our people seek care.”
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, outgoing WHO Africa Regional Director, highlighted the remarkable progress Africa’s health systems have made over the years, having confronted pandemics, eliminated once-deadly viruses, and turned death sentences into manageable conditions. Despite these achievements, she pointed out that significant challenges remain, particularly with the increasing links between health, economic stability, and the environment.
“One constant has been our collective commitment to building a healthier, stronger Africa,” she said.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, echoed this sentiment: “Together, we can harness the power of science, leadership, and cooperation for a healthier, safer, and more peaceful Africa and the world.”
Innovative funding solutions amid global decline in aid
At AHAIC 2025, a central topic was achieving health equity across Africa. With many African nations experiencing a decline in donor funding, speakers stressed the importance of homegrown solutions and regional collaboration to finance and sustain healthcare initiatives.
Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasised 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 remarked during his address at the conference. “Rwanda has shown that it is possible. By building a strong primary healthcare system, they have set an example for the entire continent.”
Rwanda’s healthcare success is rooted in leadership, vision, and a commitment to progress. Dr Tajudeen commended President Paul Kagame’s efforts to invest in health for the country’s future. He pointed to Rwanda’s swift response to the Marburg outbreak as proof that the nation’s healthcare system is maturing and equipped to tackle health crises.
“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.
Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, stressed the importance 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,” he said, adding that leveraging technology, including AI, could enhance efficiency, accessibility, and overall effectiveness.
“The centre of our health system on the continent must hold,” he said. “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.”
Dr Nsanzimana remains confident that Africa can find alternative funding sources to fill gaps left by cuts to USAID funding. “There’s always money somewhere,” he said.
Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change
The AHAIC conference also addressed pressing issues such as climate-resilient health policies, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and the importance of strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Dr Claudia Shilumani, Africa CDC Director of External Relations and Strategic Management, warned of growing health threats linked to climate change. 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 a key focus, with discussions centred on how technology can improve diagnostics, treatment, and hospital management. Delegates recognised that while Africa needs thousands of trained healthcare professionals, AI-driven solutions could help bridge the gap by enhancing efficiency in service delivery.
The conference, themed “Connected for Change,” brought together policymakers, health experts, and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss sustainable, equitable, and resilient health systems.
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