President John Dramani Mahama has directed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take urgent steps to address the funding gap created by the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programme.
A February 11 statement from the Presidency highlighted Mahama’s deep concern over the estimated $156 million deficit, warning of its potential impact on critical health and social intervention programs.
Of particular urgency is a $78.2 million shortfall, which threatens essential services such as malaria prevention, maternal and child healthcare, family planning, reproductive health, and nutrition.
The funding gap also jeopardizes Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS by restricting access to antiretroviral drugs, testing, and preventive measures.
To mitigate these effects, President Mahama has instructed the Finance Ministry to prioritize urgent interventions and implement immediate funding solutions to prevent disruptions in healthcare and social services.
