Ghana is grappling with a $156 million budget shortfall following the U.S. administration’s decision to freeze funding for its largest development and humanitarian aid agency, USAID.
President John Mahama has directed Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson to explore solutions to fill the funding gap left by the suspension of USAID programs, according to a statement from the president’s office.
The withdrawal of U.S. development aid has significantly affected Ghana’s health and agriculture sectors. USAID previously played a key role in establishing a national surveillance system for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. It also funded programs aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Ghanaian agricultural firms in regional and global markets.
The freeze on USAID programs is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on foreign aid, impacting multiple countries worldwide.
