Cutting off donor aid now would deepen health sector strain - Akwasi Acquah

Alexander Akwasi Acquah, former Deputy Health Minister, said on Monday on PM Express that Ghana is not yet ready to walk away from donor support. He said that an abrupt break from external support would expose deep weaknesses in the country's health financing system. He stated, "Well, currently, I would say no, we just have to do something about it."

Mr. Acquah commented after Ghana rejected a US health deal. He said that even with aid, the country still struggles, stating he "could not come to terms with the fact that we had aid in terms of logistics from foreign partners, and we could not just clear them from the ports." He also noted the 15% commitment under the Abuja Declaration still anticipates support from development partners. He warned that the health sector is already feeling the pressure from shrinking aid flows, saying, "I'm telling you, the health sector is suffering, because I know what is happening, especially when the USA and others got cut off."

Mr. Acquah disclosed that recent engagements with the Ghana Health Service highlighted the risks ahead. He said, "Very recently, I think about a month or so, we met the Ghana Health Service boss and their agencies and all the program managers in their presentation gave us an indication of what is ahead if we do not sit up to look at the finance and health financing." He added that while the US has pulled back, other partners remain engaged, giving Ghana time to rethink its strategy.