In view of the suspension of USAID’s international funding programme, a one-time independent presidential hopeful, Marricke Kofi Gane, has asked the Government of Ghana to create a Country Development Funding Priority policy.
He explains that this will enable development partners to redirect their funding to where the Government believes it can have the most impact.
He was commenting on the directive that President John Dramani Mahama has given to the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to take urgent steps to bridge the funding gap arising out of the suspension of USAID’s international funding programme.
The president’s is contained in a press release dated February 11 and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of government Communications.
According to the release, “The President expressed deep concern over the funding gap estimated at $156 million. Of particular concern to the President, is the impact of the projected $78.2 million shortfall that will adversely impact such critical interventions as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition and the fight against HIV/AIDS under which the availability of antiretroviral drugs, testing, and prevention programs are threatened.
The United States, through its USAID support has contributed significantly to Ghana’s development, particularly in areas like economic growth, democracy, education, health, and agriculture since the agency’s six-decade mission overseas.
Already, the impact is being felt, with the Ghana Health Service issuing a formal notice to Regional Directors in the three northern regions, warning of disruptions to the supply chain and availability of essential health commodities.
Consequently, the President has requested that the bridging arrangements focus on these priority areas to mitigate any deleterious effects occasioned by the USAID funding disruptions.
Reacting to this on his Facebook page, Mr Marricke Kofi Gane said “How exactly does one bridge that, short term – especially when the Finance Minister is already faced with Fiscal inflexibility?
“One option is to put together a Country Development Funding Priority policy so that other development partners can redirect their funding to where Government believes it can have the most impact – otherwise, they will all continue to spend in areas they are most familiar with and that they can prove impact more easily in…
“Then again, this is another reminder that we should be long-term driven in our funding strategiee. As for cost-cutting and efficiency, I have made peace that Ghanaian Governments DON’T believe in it.But uneasy, is the head that wears the crown.”
