COTONOU, REPUBLIC OF BENIN – 20 February 2026 – Professor Dr. Joseph Akinkugbe Adelegan, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Partners in Population and Development (PPD), today paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Professor Benjamin I. B. Hounkpatin, the Honorable Minister of Health for the Government of the Republic of Benin and a distinguished member of the PPD Board.
The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of Health office in Cotonou, marked a significant step in reinforcing the strong partnership between PPD and the Republic of Benin. Professor Adelegan formally introduced himself as the new leader of PPD and took the opportunity to brief the Honorable Minister on PPD’s ongoing global and regional activities aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive health, population, and development through the framework of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
During the productive discussions, Professor Adelegan and H.E. Professor Hounkpatin explored future collaboration possibilities to further strengthen Benin’s health systems and advance its development goals. They discussed opportunities for Benin to leverage PPD’s extensive network of 28 member countries to share best practices, access technical expertise, and engage in innovative, context-specific solutions that address the nation’s unique health challenges.
Professor Adelegan expressed his deep appreciation for the Honorable Minister’s invaluable contributions to PPD during his tenure as a member of the Executive Committee. He lauded H.E. Professor Hounkpatin’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the principles of South-South Cooperation, which have been instrumental in guiding PPD’s strategic direction.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to enhance partnership and explore new avenues for joint initiatives. Professor Adelegan’s visit to Benin underscores PPD’s dedication to engaging directly with its member countries to ensure that the organization’s work remains aligned with national priorities and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.
