MAHAMA EXPLAINS GHANA’S REJECTION OF US HEALTH DEAL

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Ghanaian President John Mahama has explained why his government rejected a proposed health compact with the United States, citing concerns over medical data, funding obligations and the regulation of medicines.

Mahama spoke on September 25, 2026, during a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

He said Ghana’s Ministry of Health reviewed the proposed agreement before submitting it to Cabinet, where several provisions were flagged.

According to Mahama, the compact required Ghana to provide information about its pathogen profile and medical records. He questioned the basis for another country having access to such sensitive health information.

He also said the agreement required Ghana to provide counterpart funding as part of the programme.

Another concern, he said, was a provision that would have limited Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority from inspecting medicines and other medical products supplied under the arrangement.

Mahama said Cabinet subsequently rejected the proposal and directed the Health Minister to inform the US Ambassador that Ghana would manage its health needs without the arrangement.

The proposed compact was intended to replace some health funding previously provided through USAID following changes in US foreign aid policy.

Mahama said the withdrawal of about $174m in US funding created gaps in Ghana’s national budget, including an estimated $74m annual shortfall in the health sector.

He said the development had strengthened Ghana’s focus on the Accra Reset initiative, which seeks to reduce dependence on external health financing and expand Africa’s capacity to produce medicines and vaccines.