President John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, acknowledged the severe impact on the health sector following the 90-day withdrawal of funding support by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
He stated that the withdrawal put the health sector at risk by withholding approximately $78 million earmarked for malaria, maternal and child health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS programmes.
President Mahama made this statement while presenting the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 to Parliament in Accra.
“Mr. Speaker, one of the most pressing issues confronting our health sector is USAID’s sudden 90-day pause in services without prior notice and the looming threat of a complete withdrawal of programmes that do not align with the USA’s strategic interests,” he said.
The withdrawal would affect key programmes, including the delivery of medical commodities to regional medical stores and health facilities in the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and Savannah regions.
Additionally, USAID’s support for the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme, including the supply of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) in the Western, Western North, and Ahafo regions, would also be affected.
“This withdrawal puts at risk approximately $78 million earmarked for malaria, maternal and child health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS programmes,” the President reiterated.
“The impact will be devastating without urgent intervention. I have, therefore, directed the Minister of 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.”
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Meanwhile, watch as Nana Akomea, Kwesi Pratt clash on radio over public sector dismissals