Ghana Rejects U.S. Health Deal Over Data-Sharing Concerns

Ghana has turned down a proposed bilateral health agreement with the United States, according to a source familiar with the discussions, marking another setback for efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to reshape foreign aid.

Officials under President John Dramani Mahama reportedly raised concerns over provisions that would require the sharing of sensitive national health data. The source said this issue ultimately led Ghana to step away from the deal.

The same sticking point has affected negotiations elsewhere. Talks with Zimbabwe collapsed earlier this year, while a similar agreement with Kenya has been put on hold following a court challenge by a consumer rights group.

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specifics of ongoing negotiations but emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Ghana.

The proposed agreement was part of a broader policy initiative unveiled in September, the “America First Global Health Strategy.” The plan encourages lower-income countries to take greater responsibility for tackling diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, with the long-term goal of reducing reliance on foreign aid.

Data from U.S. government sources show that Ghana received $219 million in foreign assistance in 2024, including $96 million dedicated to health programs. Under the now-rejected deal, Ghana was expected to receive $109 million in health support over five years, although its financial contribution remained unclear.

Negotiations, which began in November, were initially routine but became more strained over time, particularly as discussions progressed. According to the source, pressure intensified toward the final stages.

Washington reportedly set an April 24 deadline to finalize the agreement, but Accra ultimately decided the terms were not acceptable. Ghana has since formally communicated its position to the U.S. administration.

As of Monday, the State Department had finalized 32 agreements under the global health strategy, totaling $20.6 billion in funding. This includes $12.8 billion from the U.S. and $7.8 billion in contributions from participating countries. Additional agreements are expected to be signed in the coming months.