A virtual candidates’ forum for the election of WHO Regional Director for Africa will take place on April 2, 2025, featuring four candidates. Each will present their vision, while Member States can submit questions. The event aims to enhance transparency and will be livestreamed in multiple languages.
The upcoming election of the new World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa will feature a virtual candidates’ forum on April 2, 2025, from 09:30 to 16:00 Brazzaville time. This initiative, endorsed by WHO Member States, aims to enhance transparency within the electoral process. Honourable Louise Mapleh Kpoto, the Health Minister of Liberia and First Vice-Chairperson of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, will preside over the forum.
The forum will allow candidates to outline their qualifications and visions for advancing WHO’s core mandates in the African region. The four candidates, listed alphabetically by country, are Dr. Michel N’da Konan Yao from Cote 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 submit questions to the candidates, indicating their preferred candidate by March 26, 2025, at 17:00 Brazzaville time via the provided email. Questions will be collected and drawn randomly during the forum, and only one question per Member State will be allowed. Candidates will allocate three minutes to respond to each question, with each interview lasting 40 minutes, allowing for final explanations as time permits.
A digital timer will be employed to ensure adherence to the time restrictions during presentations and question sessions. The entirety of the event will be streamed live in English, French, and Portuguese across WHO Regional Office for Africa’s media channels and official website.
The virtual candidates’ forum for the election of the WHO Regional Director for Africa is a significant step towards ensuring transparency in the election process. The structure allows candidates to present their qualifications while enabling Member States to engage directly by submitting questions. This event is critical not only for the candidates but also for fostering accountability within the WHO’s operations in the African region.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
