$156m hole in Ghana’s state budget due to USAID freeze
Countries across the globe are feeling the immediate effects of US’ part suspension of its biggest humanitarian aid agency, USAID, with Ghana in particular is struggling financially. According to AfricaNews on February 12th, Ghana is now at a loss of $156 million in its state budget.
Ghanaian President John Mahama has requested the Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson find solutions that will close the gap in funding left behind by the freezing of USAID programs, said a statement from the president’s office.
American funding and aid have been very important for Ghana’s health and agriculture sectors.
USAID also supported the creation of a national surveillance system for HIV and sexually transmissible diseases and programs that made Ghanaian agricultural companies more competitive both regionally and internationally.
Farmonaut pointed out several areas expected to struggle the most due to the USAID cuts: USAID had pledged $16 million to Ghana’s education system in 2023, money that was still being paid to Ghana. Additionally, healthcare and the agricultural sector are expected to struggle due to lack of USAID funding.
Similarly, the aid freeze has sparked concerns over Ebola management in Uganda, as it has caused understaffing in Uganda’s contact tracing and traveler screening initiatives, according to a US official.
AfricaNews,Farmonaut, Maghrebi, CDC
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