President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the growing impact of environmental degradation on global health, urging urgent international action as leaders meet at the One Health Summit in Lyon.

Addressing the summit, he warned that the world is facing increasingly complex and interconnected health threats driven by environmental changes. He said rising sea levels, melting glaciers, deforestation and desertification are intensifying risks across human, animal and plant health systems.

Drawing on Ghana’s experience, President Mahama cited disease outbreaks affecting cocoa farms and the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, which continues to threaten biodiversity and pollute water bodies.

He identified climate change as a key factor worsening these challenges, linking it to the spread of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and disruptions to food systems.

The President also pointed to ecosystem degradation, species conflict and plastic pollution as additional pressures contributing to global health risks, stressing that these issues require coordinated international responses.

Referencing recent outbreaks such as COVID-19, Mpox and Lassa fever, he said they demonstrate how environmental and health systems are closely linked, and underscored the importance of prevention.

President Mahama noted that the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health, aligns with long-standing African knowledge systems that emphasise balance with nature and early intervention.

He further highlighted the need for stronger surveillance systems, early warning mechanisms and community-level interventions to detect and manage emerging threats.

The President called for equitable access to financing, technology, data and innovation, particularly for vulnerable countries most affected by environmental and health shocks.

He urged global leaders to take concrete steps by integrating One Health strategies into national development plans and international frameworks, and to ensure that outcomes from the summit translate into measurable improvements in public health and environmental protection.