By: Henrietta Afful
President John Dramani Mahama has identified USAID’s abrupt 90-day pause in services without prior notice as the most critical issue currently facing Ghana’s health sector.
Speaking during his maiden State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Accra, he expressed concern over the potential withdrawal of USAID programmes that may not align with the United States’ strategic interests.
President Mahama said the disruption would severely impact critical health programmess, particularly the delivery of medical commodities to regional medical stores and healthcare facilities in the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and Savannah regions. Additionally, USAID’s support for the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme, including the provision of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) in the Western, Western North, and Ahafo regions, is now in jeopardy.
This sudden pause jeopardizes an estimated $78 million allocated for essential programmes targeting malaria, maternal and child health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
President Mahama emphasized the potential devastating consequences of this withdrawal and assured the public that urgent steps would be taken to address the crisis.
He revealed that he had directed the Minister for Finance to make immediate financial arrangements to counter the loss of USAID support.
“The impact will be devastating without urgent intervention. I have therefore directed the Minister for Finance to make immediate financial arrangements to mitigate this loss, and I expect that this will be reflected in his budget, which will be presented next month” President Mahama said as he reassured Ghanaians.
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