US health package was humiliating, hence Ghana’s withdrawal – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed that Ghana's withdrawal from a health package offered by the United States was humiliating. The package, which provided around $74 million in aid for Ghana's healthcare sector, was withdrawn due to concerns that the support might compromise Ghana's dignity. During a meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations, Mahama emphasized that the country's healthcare needs should not dictate its acceptance of any form of assistance.

He stressed that Ghana and other African nations should strive for greater independence in financing and managing their healthcare systems.

Mahama's remarks came after Ghana's decision to back out of the package, which he believes has highlighted the vulnerability of African health systems to decisions made outside the continent. He has since been advocating for health sovereignty across Africa, urging African governments to invest more heavily in their own healthcare systems rather than relying heavily on external support.

The withdrawal of US funding, according to Mahama, has reinforced the need for stronger African sovereignty in healthcare financing and the production of essential medicines and vaccines.

As the Chairman of the African Union, Mahama plans to use his position to push for initiatives that promote greater African sovereignty in healthcare financing and the production of essential medicines and vaccines. He expressed his intention to leverage his role to enable Ghana and other African countries to produce these vital healthcare products locally. Mahama stressed the importance of strengthening Africa's capacity to finance its healthcare needs and reducing dependence on external assistance.