Accra, Feb 11, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has charged the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to take immediate steps to fill the estimated US$156 million shortfall under the USAID funded projects to avert any danger, particularly in the health sector.
“Of particular concern is the projected US$78.2 million shortfall, which will severely affect critical interventions such as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition, and the fight against HIV/AIDS,” a government statement said on Tuesday.
The funding gaps has been created following the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) financial assistance to countries including Ghana, by the Donald Trump Administration.
A statement signed by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, said the President’s directive to bridge the funding gap on those priority areas was to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the USAID funding disruption.
The assistance from the USAID to Ghana dates to at least 2008, which had provided support to the agriculture, education, disaster relief, and economic sector.
GNA