In response to the recent suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, President John Dramani Mahama has directed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take immediate action to address the resulting financial shortfall. The suspension has led to an estimated $156 million deficit, with a particularly concerning $78.2 million gap threatening essential health services. 
The President’s directive emphasizes the urgency of securing alternative funding to ensure the continuity of critical health interventions. These include malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition, and the fight against HIV/AIDS. The availability of antiretroviral drugs, HIV testing, and prevention programs are particularly at risk due to the funding gap. 
In a statement issued on February 11, 2025, Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu conveyed President Mahama’s deep concern over the potential adverse effects of the funding shortfall. The President has mandated that the Finance Ministry prioritize these critical areas to mitigate any negative impacts resulting from the USAID funding suspension. 
This development follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend USAID’s international funding program, a decision that has significant implications for countries like Ghana that rely on such aid to support key development initiatives. 
As the situation evolves, the Ghanaian government remains focused on mitigating the impact of the funding shortfall and ensuring the continuity of programs that are crucial to the nation’s health and development.
