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US withdrawal from WHO poses risks for Ghana’s health sector

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Dr Kingsley Agyemang is the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South

The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has outlined what he describes as the potential implications of the United States’ exit from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Ghana and the global health system.

In a statement issued on January 27, 2026, Dr Agyemang noted that the departure of the United States as a major donor would impose transactional costs on Ghana’s strategic planning, and reduce predictability in health spending.

“The departure also has implications for global health coordination at the systemic level. The WHO’s convening authority is pivotal in coordinating donor activities, establishing evidence-based standards, and guaranteeing equitable access to global public goods, including vaccines and essential medicines.

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“The fragmentation of leadership poses risks of redundant activities and weakened adherence to the International Health Regulations. In the long term, this erosion of multilateralism may increase transaction costs for Ghana, complicate strategic planning, and diminish predictability in health spending,” he said.

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He further noted that although the exit may have significant implications for Ghana’s health system, it could also strengthen South–South cooperation and deepen collaboration with alternative multilateral partners.

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“Nonetheless, the shock also presents a strategic turning point. Ghana’s ongoing efforts in domestic health financing, including the expansion of National Health Insurance coverage and the introduction of new funding strategies for non-communicable diseases, help to mitigate external volatility to some extent.

“Enhancing South–South cooperation, intensifying collaboration with alternative multilateral partners, and accelerating local pharmaceutical production can further reduce reliance on a single global entity,” the statement added.

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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com

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