President John Mahama has directed on February 11 Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to urgently find solutions to address a $156 million funding gap in Ghana’s health sector following the suspension of USAID assistance.
In a letter to the minister, Mahama expressed concern that the suspension would significantly affect key health initiatives in the country, including those related to maternal health, HIV/AIDS, family planning, and childbirth.
The suspension of USAID support, which began under US President Donald Trump’s administration, has left Ghana facing a considerable shortfall in vital health funding. Mahama has urged the Finance Minister to explore alternative funding sources to prevent the suspension from having severe consequences, particularly for essential health services. The suspension of aid has already been felt in the northern regions of the country, where the Last Mile Distribution of essential health commodities has been impacted.
The president’s call for swift action comes as Ghana, like many other African nations, grapples with the ramifications of the suspension of USAID assistance, which has disrupted crucial health programmes. The government is now under pressure to mitigate the negative effects of the aid cut and ensure the continuation of essential health services across the country.