Ethiopian Doctor becomes first African to ascend WHO Director-General

Ethiopia’s former health and foreign minister, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has finally been elected to replace outgoing Margaret Chan as Director-General of the United Nations health department after three rounds of voting.

A former health minister recorded over 66% required to be declared the winner.

He becomes the first African to ascend to the post in the nearly 70-years existence of the WHO. He is also the first non-physician to be elected to the post. He previously served as health and foreign affairs minister of Ethiopia and till date was a special advisor to Prime Minsiter Hailemariam Desalegn. He beat two other competitors to emerge winner.