President John Dramani Mahama has instructed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take urgent steps in bridging the funding gap that has been created following the suspension of USAID’s international funding program.
A statement issued by government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the president has expressed deep concern over the funding gap, which is estimated at $156 million.
The minister in the statement disclosed that the president is particularly concerned over the projected $78.2 million shortfall that will adversely impact such critical interventions as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, and availability of antiretroviral drugs, among others.
He said the president has instructed the finance minister to focus his bridging arrangements on these priority areas to help mitigate any deleterious effects occasioned by the USAID funding disruptions.
Background
The United States government, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, has ordered all directly hired staff of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to be placed on leave.
USAID said in a statement released on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, that all direct hire personnel would be put on leave from Friday, 7, 2025, apart from “designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.”.
According to the statement, staff of USAID posted overseas will be recalled from their postings within 30 days.
It promised to consider case-by-case exceptions and extensions based on “personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons”.
“For example, the agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming,” the statement added.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential.
USAID’s work advances an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development.
USAID support to Ghana
On December 3, 2024, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided $3 million (over 48 million Ghanaian cedis) to support farmers affected by the dry spell and improve healthcare delivery in the north.
From the $3 million provided, $1.7 million will be used for smallholder farmers impacted by months of little to no rain in the north.
The remaining $1.3 million was to be used to improve nutrition, maternal and child health services, early childhood development, and social protection in the north.
In the past year, bilateral support from USAID totalled over $150 million dedicated to health, economic growth and agriculture, education, governance, and more.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
