- Suspension of USAID funding could severely affect the availability of antiretroviral drugs, HIV testing, and prevention programmes.
- Other essential programmes at risk are malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition.
- Ghana is exploring alternative funding mechanisms and reallocate resources to prevent any disruption in these vital programmes.
President Donald Trump’s recent move to dismantle USAID has left Ghana grappling with a funding shortfall of roughly $156 million for her healthcare and social programmes.
With the funding gap, the country is likely to face a crisis in tackling a range of pressing healthcare challenges including fighting malaria, enhancing child health among other key interventions critical to the country’s success.
Under President Trump’s new administration, USAID, traditionally a key plank in U.S. humanitarian and development efforts globally, is being dismantled and merged into the State Department. This move has resulted in a freeze on billions of dollars in foreign assistance, directly impacting health and infrastructure projects in Africa.
USAID withdrawal leaves Ghana with financing gap
In response to the funding gap, President John Dramani Mahama has directed his Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to take immediate steps to address the significant funding gap caused by the suspension of USAID’s international funding programme.
In a statement released by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, President Mahama expressed deep concern over the potential impact of the funding gap.
Of particular concern is the projected $78.2 million shortfall that threatens essential programmes in malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition, and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The President noted that the suspension of USAID funding could severely affect the availability of antiretroviral drugs, HIV testing, and prevention programmes, as well as other critical health interventions.
To mitigate these challenges, President Mahama has instructed the Finance Minister to prioritize bridging arrangements for these key areas to ensure continuity in service delivery and safeguard public health outcomes.
Read also: U.S. Foreign Policy for Africa under the Trump Administration
Reduce maternal and child mortality
“The President is deeply committed to protecting the gains made in these critical sectors and has directed that urgent steps be taken to address the funding gap,” the statement read.
The government is expected to explore alternative funding mechanisms and reallocate resources to prevent any disruption in these vital programmes. The suspension of USAID funding comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to combat malaria, reduce maternal and child mortality, and strengthen its HIV/AIDS response.
The government’s swift action to bridge the gap underscores its commitment to maintaining progress in these areas and ensuring that vulnerable populations continue to receive essential services.
President Trump signed an executive order on January 20th freezing vast amounts of foreign assistance, in turn forcing American-funded aid and development programmes across the world to shut down and lay off staff.
While the Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had sought to mitigate the damage by issuing a waiver to exempt emergency food aid and “life-saving” programs, USAID officials and aid groups say neither funding nor staffing have been reinstated in order to allow even the most essential programs to start working again.
