Ghanaian officials have reportedly abandoned a multimillion-dollar health deal proposed by the United States due to concerns over sharing sensitive health data.
As part of the Trump administration’s “America First” strategy, which has focused on bilateral deals rather than multilateral aid, the new US model aims to shift funding responsibility for health goods and services to Ghana.
This means Accra needs to increase its investment in health systems. Previously, it was largely supported by US-contracted NGOs. However, with Trump set to dismantle USAID in 2025, there is little development funding available.
However, a source told DW that Ghana would not sign a multi-year agreement, reportedly worth about US$109 million (€93 million), because Ghana would have to give up key aspects of its health sovereignty. This includes sharing control over your health care decisions, data and resources with US officials.
Is the US-Ghana health agreement dead?
For Ghana, this would be a breach of domestic law, including the Data Protection Act and the Public Health Act. The deal would also require Ghana to bypass parliamentary ratification, which is a constitutional requirement for bilateral agreements.
A government source, who spoke anonymously to AFP, said the deal is “dead” after US negotiators reportedly became “hostile” and put “pressure” on Ghana, which has pushed back on demands for personal data. Additionally, the amount of money offered to Ghana is significantly less than similar deals proposed with Kenya and Nigeria, which were offered US$2.5 billion and US$2.1 billion respectively.
The Ghanaian government has not yet issued an official statement on the deal, but Ghanaians who spoke to DW said they are concerned about US demands to share data. “Sharing health data of individuals is very important,” said a young professional, adding that this should not be allowed.
“Health data is a personal document. What is really motivating them to ask for health data?”
Another person said he disagreed with sharing that information with other countries “because it could go against us.”
Some African nations reject US health deals
The US has adopted similar strategies in other African countries. According to the US State Department, at least 32 such deals worth about $20.6 billion have been signed under the America First Global Health Strategy with countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Lesotho and eSwatini.
Some countries are viewing the American strategy with suspicion. In February, Zimbabwe rejected a similar proposal, saying the terms threatened its autonomy, while a deal with Zambia has not progressed after Washington demanded access to mineral rights and data.
Meanwhile, Kenya, which this week hosted the world health summit In Nairobi, such a bilateral proposal was initially agreed upon in December 2025. However, the country’s courts suspended the deal over concerns around personal data.
German minister wants to reassure Kenya
Germany’s Development Minister, Reim Albli Radovan, was in Nairobi to reassure the East African country of Germany’s continued commitment to Kenya. He described Germany’s relations with Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, as “strong”.
“Kenya looks to us as a strategic partner when it comes to German investment, especially when it comes to health care and when it comes to multilateralism,” Radovan told DW.
Unlike the United States, despite aid cuts, Germany has continued to promote multilateral initiatives and institutions such as the World Health Organization.
“Cuts from the U.S. government, especially in the global health sector, are very painful,” Radovan said. “We may see them looking to multilateral funds like Gavi and the Global Fund, which are fighting malaria, HIV and tuberculosis, and we cannot fill this gap alone.”
He said Germany intended to put a stronger focus on global health and vowed that Berlin would not back down from this. “It is important to show our partners in the region that we are a reliable partner, especially when it comes to African countries,” he said.
Sela Onyeko in Nairobi and Eric Egbeta in Accra contributed to this article
Edited by: Crispin Mavakideau