Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has sounded the alarm over Ghana’s reliance on foreign aid, emphasizing the urgent need to establish a robust, self-financing structure for the nation’s health sector.
His warning comes in the wake of the recent suspension of U.S. assistance to Ghana, triggered by an executive order that halted most foreign aid, including vital USAID programmes. The abrupt withdrawal has created a funding shortfall estimated at $156 million.
In an exclusive interview, Mr. Akandoh described the situation as a wake-up call for the country, urging Ghana to take full ownership of its health financing. He pointed to the creation of the Accra Reset Fund as a pivotal step toward sustainable domestic funding, aimed at insulating essential health programmes from external shocks and disruptions.
Backing the Minister’s stance, Acting Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, underscored the importance of health in the reset agenda, suggesting that the same self-financing model could eventually be applied to other sectors of national development.
Expanding on the government’s vision, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo reaffirmed the NDC administration’s commitment under President John Dramani Mahama to building a self-reliant governance framework.
She noted that internally funding crucial programmes—particularly in health—would ensure their continuity and resilience in the face of global uncertainties.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
