A virtual candidates’ forum for the election of the WHO Regional Director for Africa is scheduled for April 2, 2025. Chaired by Liberia’s Minister of Health, it will feature four candidates who will present their visions. Member States can submit questions to candidates, ensuring transparency and engagement in the electoral process.
The election for the new World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa will feature a virtual live candidates’ forum on April 2, 2025, from 09:30 to 16:00 Brazzaville time. This initiative, endorsed by WHO Member States in the region, aims to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and will be chaired by Honourable Louise Mapleh Kpoto, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia.
The forum serves as an important platform for the candidates to articulate their qualifications and aspirations for the role. Four candidates have been nominated in alphabetical order: Dr. Michel N’da Konan Yao from Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Mohamed Lamine Dramé from Guinea, Professor Janabi Mohamed Yakub from the United Republic of Tanzania, and Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa from Togo. Each candidate will present for 20 minutes.
Member States are encouraged to participate by posing questions to the candidates. To be eligible, Member States must notify the Regional Office at least by March 26, 2025, indicating which candidate they wish to question. Questions will be drawn randomly to ensure fairness, with each Member State allowed a single question.
In the Q&A segment of the forum, Member States will have up to one minute to pose their questions, while candidates will have three minutes to respond. The interview for each candidate lasts a total of 40 minutes, concluding with the provision that candidates may finish responses before time runs out.
The event will be accessible to a wider audience as it will be livestreamed in English, French, and Portuguese through the WHO Regional Office for Africa’s social media channels and website.
The upcoming candidates’ forum for the WHO Regional Director for Africa election is a significant event aimed at promoting transparency and engagement among Member States. By allowing candidates to express their visions and expertise, the forum facilitates a fair electoral process. Active participation from Member States through questions further enhances dialogue and scrutiny of each candidate, ultimately aiding in informed decision-making for the region’s leadership in health initiatives.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
