Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to develop a robust, self-financing structure for its health sector, cautioning against overdependence on foreign aid.

In an exclusive interview, the Minister warned that shifting global policies pose significant risks for donor-dependent countries. His comments come in the wake of the suspension of U.S. aid to Ghana, following an executive order that froze most foreign assistance, including USAID programmes — a move that has left a funding gap estimated at $156 million.

Mr. Akandoh described the development as a wake-up call, stressing that Ghana must take full ownership of its health financing.

He highlighted the creation of the Accra Reset Fund as a key step toward sustainable domestic funding, designed to safeguard critical health programmes from external disruptions.

Acting Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, backed the Minister’s call, noting that health must be the cornerstone of the reset agenda.

He emphasised that the model could later be extended to other sectors of national development.

Also speaking on the government’s broader vision, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo said the NDC administration under President John Dramani Mahama is committed to building a self-reliant governance framework. According to her, ensuring essential programmes — particularly in healthcare — are funded internally will guarantee their continuity and resilience against global shocks.