President Mahama Urges International Partners to Sustain Cooperation Amid USAID Suspension
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghana’s international partners to maintain their support and cooperation despite the recent suspension of USAID operations. During an official visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Mahama highlighted the critical need for continued global collaboration, especially as Ghana faces challenges in accessing the international credit market.
The Importance of Global Support for Ghana’s Development
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s young and growing population requires sustained investment to address pressing issues like job creation and economic stability. He noted that the suspension of USAID funding has created a $156 million shortfall in the national budget, which the government is working to address.
“We are living in a very unpredictable world where relations with other countries are becoming very transactional,” Mahama stated. “We have the issue of the freeze in assistance from the US, and we are trying to make up our budget allocation to cover the gap. I hope that the rest of our partners will continue to keep the relations that we have or even lift them higher so that we can continue to assist the vulnerable in society.”
For more insights into Ghana’s economic challenges, visit the World Bank Ghana Overview.
Impact of USAID Suspension on Ghana’s Humanitarian Programs
The suspension of USAID operations follows an Executive Order issued by US President Donald Trump upon assuming office. This decision has disrupted several humanitarian aid programs, particularly in the health sector, where many initiatives rely on USAID funding for procurement, logistics, and technical assistance.
Ghana’s health system, which has benefited significantly from USAID support, now faces uncertainty. Programs targeting maternal health, disease prevention, and healthcare infrastructure are at risk of being scaled back. Learn more about USAID’s global impact on the Official USAID Website.
Call to Action: Strengthening Partnerships for a Brighter Future
President Mahama’s appeal underscores the importance of international solidarity in addressing global challenges. He called for collaborative efforts to attract more investments and ensure that Ghana’s development agenda remains on track.
“We have a young, growing population, and one of the major issues that came up strongly in the election was the issue of jobs. So, we are working together to see how there can be more investments, especially as we were shut out of the international credit market,” Mahama explained.
Ghanaians and global partners are encouraged to stay engaged and support initiatives that promote sustainable development. For updates on Ghana’s progress, visit the Ghana Government Official Portal.