From Benjamin Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent, Kampala, Uganda

Kampala, July 26, GNA - President John Atta Mills has appealed to colleague African leaders to commit themselves to the health of expectant mothers, infants and children and tackle their health issues in a holistic manner.

He praised the contribution of women to the formation of leaders and appealed to world leaders to prove their mettle by paying attention to health issues of women who are the bedrock of most African economies and children.

President Mills said this in his contribution to a debate on the theme of the 15th African Union Heads of States summit in Kampala, Uganda.

The theme of the three-day summit is "Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa."

President Mills said investment in people was a major objective of his government and the care for maternal health of women, infants and children formed part of the government's programmes to ensure that they had better lives.

He said problems affecting women, which he described as hydra headed, should be tackled in a holistic manner.

President Mills said Ghana's affirmative action for maternal health as well as that of infants and children was challenged by cultural practices, delay in access to health personnel and facilities.

President Mills said health personnel would not want to go to areas where there were problems and this further worsened the plight of people who did not have access to health faculties.

World renowned economist, Mr Jeffery Sachs, suggested to African leaders to impress on the developed world to fill the financing gaps and ask for packages that would go for the long term well being of their people.