People visit the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

ACCRA -- The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries.

The three-day event, co-organized by the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), a Ghana-based Chinese firm, and the Ghana Health Service, brought together government officials, health professionals, regulators, and more than 100 exhibitors from China and West African countries.

HCOWA President Jiang Sihong said at the opening ceremony that with AI revolutionizing the healthcare sector across the world, West Africa must not be left behind and should also use AI to improve the delivery of healthcare services to address the needs of its people.

Jiang said HCOWA is ready to partner with ministries, hospitals, and the private sector to create the right environment for investment, research, and access.

Chief of Staff at the Ghanaian Presidency Julius Debrah noted that the event embodies the spirit of partnership, with manufacturers, suppliers, doctors, researchers, investors, academics, and policymakers under one roof to share new solutions, forge collaborations, and imagine new models of healthcare delivery.

He lauded the organizers for imagining the use of AI in healthcare in the subregion, adding that AI should help detect diseases earlier, make diagnoses more accurate, and deliver treatments more effectively.

Debrah also pledged that the Ghanaian government is committed to supporting HCOWA to achieve its vision of advancing hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical institutions across West Africa with cutting-edge technologies, modern equipment, and sustainable systems. 

An exhibitor introduces a medical product to visitors at the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

An exhibitor displays various kinds of injection syringes at the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

A medical worker takes a man's blood pressure at the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

A woman tries an AI checkup product at the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

An exhibitor introduces medical equipment to visitors at the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 20, 2025. The second edition of the China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo opened in Accra on Aug 20 to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and deepen project cooperation between China and West African countries. [Photo/Xinhua]