GHANA’S PRESIDENT MOVES TO BRIDGE USAID FUNDING GAP

Tue 11 February 2025:

President John Mahama has directed his minister of finance to “take urgent steps” to bridge the funding gap caused by the Trump administration’s freeze on US Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes.

“The President expressed deep concern over the funding gap estimated at $156 million,” a statement from Mahama’s office reads.

That includes a projected $78.2m shortfall for programmes on malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning and the fight against HIV/AIDS, the statement said.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

“President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance, Hon Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to take urgent steps to bridge the funding gap arising out of the suspension of the USAID’s international funding programme,” the statement read.

“Of particular concern to the President, is the impact of the projected $78.2 million shortfall that will adversely impact such critical interventions as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition and the fight against HIV/AIDS under which the availability of antiretroviral drugs, testing, and prevention programs are threatened,” it added.

The future of USAID, the US government’s primary overseas aid agency, has recently come into question. Both US President Donald Trump and his advisor, billionaire Elon Musk, have voiced strong criticisms of the agency.

There are reports suggesting they may seek to abolish or restructure its operations, which could have significant consequences for global humanitarian efforts.

The Trump administration has been attacking USAID as part of its push to scale down the size of the federal government. Experts have said funding and staffing cuts to the agency would have dire consequences for people around the world.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22