Policy and Planning Division

John Eliasu Mahama is a public health practitioner with two decades of experience in HIV & AIDS response, programme management and public policy. John is experienced in multi-stakeholder processes, health and community systems strengthening, resource mobilization, having worked with the public and non-profit sectors in Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Mali.

Since June 2023, John has been serving on the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory Group on Global Prototype Curricula for Community Health Workers. John has also worked closely with several bilateral, multilateral and private partners, including the Global Fund, UNAIDS, UNDP, GIZ, USAID, the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Landell Mills among others.

In his current capacity as the Acting Director for Policy and Planning at the Ghana AIDS Commission, John provides technical, operational, and administrative leadership towards achievement of the Commission’s mandate. John’s role includes collaborating with stakeholders to develop well-informed policies, strategic and operational plans on HIV and AIDS.

A significant part of John’s role involves spearheading the national HIV response efforts to address human-rights barriers to HIV service uptake. This includes targeted efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to HIV services.

Additionally, John is actively working on the national HIV sustainability roadmap development and investment case. The sustainability roadmap is designed to maintain the impact and gains of the HIV response over the long term, while the investment case focuses on optimising effective interventions with the available resources. John also leads efforts to mainstream HIV and wellness into workplace health and safety policies and programmes.

John’s academic background includes an MSc in International Health, a Master of Research and Public Policy (MRPP), a BSc in Community Nutrition, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).