President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to take urgent steps to bridge the funding gap arising out of the suspension of USAID’s international funding program.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is being shut down globally, leaving Ghana and other aid-dependent nations scrambling to fill funding gaps in key sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
The move, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4, has raised alarms among Ghanaian policymakers and development experts, who warn of dire economic and social consequences
In a statement issued by the President’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu added that the President expressed deep concern over the funding gap estimated at $156 million.
“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”, Mr. Kwakye Ofous added
He further added that the President has requested that the bridging arrangements focus on these priority areas to mitigate any deleterious effects occasioned by the USAID funding disruptions.
