President Mahama Directs Finance Minister to Bridge $156M Funding Gap Following USAID Suspension
President John Mahama has instructed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take immediate steps to address the $156 million funding shortfall caused by the suspension of USAID programmes by U.S. President Donald Trump.
A statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, highlighted the government’s concern over the adverse effects of the funding suspension on critical sectors, including malaria prevention, maternal and child healthcare, and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“The President has requested that the bridging arrangements focus on these priority areas to mitigate any deleterious effects occasioned by the USAID funding disruption,” the statement noted.
President Trump recently signed an executive order freezing all USAID funding pending a 90-day review. The move has raised concerns globally, as USAID is the world’s largest single donor to humanitarian aid, supporting grassroots organisations in over 60 countries and funding critical global health initiatives such as polio vaccinations and famine detection.
The Government is expected to explore alternative financing mechanisms to sustain ongoing health and social intervention programmes in the wake of the funding suspension.
Read Statement Below:
