The President of Ghana has warned that the shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) risks pushing about 5.7 million Africans into poverty by the end of 2026. This outcome is expected as donor-backed health and social protection programmes across the continent unravel.
President Mahama spoke at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. He explained that the suspension of major US aid interventions created a serious threat to Africa's fragile health systems. This also impacts economic resilience and the broader development agenda. Reduced aid flows could deepen inequality, weaken household welfare, and worsen socio-economic conditions across low-income communities. Programmes linked to the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are particularly affected.
This warning fits into a larger story about Africa's reliance on external financing for vital public services. Many African countries still depend on outside money for disease control, maternal and child health, and vaccine delivery. Ghana, like many others, has long relied on donor support for healthcare, agriculture, education, governance, and social protection. The withdrawal of this aid reveals a structural weakness: essential services remain too dependent on foreign priorities and budgets.
President Mahama stated, "It is estimated that the direct consequences of this aid suspension could push about 5.7 million Africans into poverty by the end of 2026." He emphasized that the consequences extend beyond health delivery. President Mahama also highlighted that about 1.4 million HIV patients in South Africa face uncertainty due to disruptions in treatment support.
This situation demands that African governments find ways to replace donor money with their own sustainable funding. This will require stronger revenue collection, better spending of public money, and improved health insurance. Countries must also invest in local pharmaceutical production and strengthen procurement systems. Policymakers must make health financing more predictable and locally controlled.
The cuts come at a difficult time for many African economies. These economies are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy debt, currency drops, and rising food prices. Governments are pressured to cut budget deficits while also funding education, infrastructure, and security. Replacing donor-funded health programmes will be very challenging in this environment. The loss of major aid highlights how vulnerable some African economies are, especially where critical public services rely heavily on external support.
In Ghana's specific case, President Mahama revealed the country has lost about GHS 936 million (US$78 million) in health funding. This loss follows the closure of US aid programmes. This funding supported crucial initiatives such as malaria programmes, maternal and child health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS interventions, and the delivery of antiretroviral drugs. This significantly impacts the health sector and the Ghanaian population.