The Paramount Chief of the Mpuasu Japekrom Traditional Area in the Bono Region, Nana Amoa Aturu Nkonkonkyia II, has raised alarm over the withdrawal of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, describing it as a severe setback for Ghana’s health sector.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the Bono Regional Health Directorate in Sunyani, Nana Nkonkonkyia II, who is also a seasoned health practitioner with over 20 years of experience in Canada, stressed that the funding cut poses a major challenge to healthcare delivery.
“With an annual $150 million USAID support, much of which goes into healthcare financing, its withdrawal places nearly half of Ghana’s population in a situation of immense concern,” he stated.
The funding cuts stem from a global reduction in U.S. foreign aid, a decision initiated under the Donald Trump administration, which has affected many developing nations, including Ghana, that heavily rely on external support for health and nutrition programs.
Nana Nkonkonkyia II emphasized the urgent need for local innovation, resource mobilization, and strategic planning to bridge the funding gap. He called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the government to enhance staff motivation, address infrastructure deficits, and accelerate the completion of unfinished Agenda 111 District hospitals to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, the Bono Regional Director of Health, Dr. Kofi Amo Kodieh, highlighted the impact of the Network of Practice (NoP) initiative, aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services. He revealed that 12 out of 23 planned NoPs had been launched in the region, with the remaining set to be operational by the end of 2025.
Despite the progress, Dr. Kodieh identified a shortage of critical health personnel—including medical officers, Physician Assistants, and pharmacists—as a major challenge to the initiative. He urged the government to prioritize postings of essential health workers to sustain and expand quality healthcare delivery.
The two-day performance review meeting, themed “Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare Through Collaboration: The Impact of Network of Practice on Clinical and Public Health Services,” brought together healthcare professionals, traditional authorities, and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for overcoming healthcare challenges in Ghana.
