US Seeks to Amend or Remove Disputed Clauses in $109m Health Deal Rejected by Mahama Government

The United States government is seeking to renegotiate its proposed $109 million health agreement with Ghana after the deal was rejected by Cabinet, President John Mahama has revealed.

The President disclosed this during a citizens’ engagement in Goaso, in the Ahafo Region, explaining that Washington had requested further discussions on the terms of the proposed compact.

According to Mahama, the United States wants both sides to review the provisions Ghana raised concerns about, with the possibility of revising or removing the disputed clauses.

He indicated that the government was prepared to engage in further discussions on the agreement.

Ghana’s Cabinet rejected the proposed compact over concerns about the handling of sensitive health information, national sovereignty, financial commitments and restrictions on the regulatory powers of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

The agreement was designed to provide Ghana with approximately $109 million in American health assistance over five years.

It was also expected to replace some funding previously provided to the country through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

At a dialogue organised by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on September 25, 2026, Mahama outlined the reasons behind Cabinet’s decision to reject the proposal.

He explained that the Ministry of Health had examined the agreement and submitted an information paper to Cabinet in line with established government procedures.

The assessment identified several provisions considered unacceptable by the government.

Among the major concerns was a clause requiring Ghana to provide the United States with its pathogen profile, which contains information about disease-causing organisms present in the country.

The President also raised objections to provisions concerning the sharing of medical records.

Mahama questioned the appropriateness of handing over Ghana’s medical information to another country, highlighting the sensitivity of the data involved.

The President further disclosed that the proposed arrangement required Ghana to contribute its own funds to the programme while limiting the FDA’s authority to inspect medicines and other medical products imported under the agreement.

These conditions contributed to the government’s decision to reject the compact in its original form.

Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/us-seeks-changes-to-rejected-109m-health-compact-with-ghana-mahama/

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