Accra, Feb 11, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has directed Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, to take urgent steps to bridge the funding gap arising out of the suspension of the USAID’s international funding program.
“The President expressed deep concern over the funding gap estimated at $156 million”, a statement signed by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Spokesperson to the President and Minister, Government Communications said on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
“Of particular concern to the President, is the impact of the projected $78.2 million shortfall that will adversely impact such critical interventions as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition and the fight against HIV/AIDS under which the availability of antiretroviral drugs, testing, and prevention programs are threatened”, the statement said.
It added, the President had requested that the bridging arrangements focus on the priority areas to mitigate any negative consequences occasioned by the USAID funding disruptions.
The United States president, Donald Trump’s administration on January 20, 2025 announced a 90-day freeze on funding for aid projects while it undertakes a “review” to ensure they align its priorities.
It also announced huge cuts to the agency’s workforce and the immediate suspension of almost all of its aid programmes.
In Ghana, the health sector is the hardest hit by Mr Trump’s 90-day suspension of funding for aid projects.
Already, a leaked letter from the Regional Directorate to the Director General of the Ghana Health Service acknowledge that the suspension had significantly disrupted the health supply chain, particularly in the Northern, North East, and Savannah Regions, which rely on the Northern Regional Medical Stores for commodity distribution.
“The halt in distribution services poses a severe risk of stockouts for essential medicines, vaccines, and other critical health commodities… commodities including maternal and child health, malaria prevention and treatment, family planning, and HIV/AIDS services, are likely to experience shortages,” it said.
Development workers and experts with deep knowledge who would not want to be identified said the move would erode the gains made in the sector over the years.
Aside from the health sector, they stated that the education, agriculture and food security, energy, democracy, human rights and governance sectors would be impacted negatively due to the suspension and the possibly cancellation of aid.
GNA