Budget must outline sustainable domestic health financing to offset USAID withdrawal – Dr Asiedu

A fellow at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, provided his expectations of the 2025 budget statement, to Parliament of the 2025 budget statement.

In a Facebook post, he said he expects an uncapping of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Funds & Full Allocation of NHIL Revenue.

He also expects Sustainable Domestic Health Financing to Offset USAID Withdrawal.

“Outline a dedicated funding stream to deliver the proposed Free Primary Healthcare Policy. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Health as a model for the completion of health projects in a manner that doesn’t put pressure on the Exchequer or increase Ghana’s debt stock. Provide clear policy direction with financial backing to accelerate the expansion of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector as a fulcrum for transforming Ghana into a subregional pharmaceutical hub,” he added.

Dr Asioedu further noted that all these come at a cost of increasing health expenditure as a proportion of government expenditure from the current 6.9% closer to the Abuja Declaration target of 15%.

“Can he (Finance Minister] be that bold and give meaning to the notion that, “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation?” Tomorrow will tell.”

Ahead of the budget presentation, the Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson assured Ghanaians that the Mahama administration would remain mindful of their needs at all times.

He said the government will do all it can to truly represent the concerns of the people especially in the national budget.

He said this on his X page after an engagement with traders at Accra’s Central Business District.

“We are deeply grateful to you all our compatriots at Makola who welcomed us with open hearts, sharing your thoughts, fears, challenges, and ideas. We assure you that we will always remain mindful of your needs as a government. we will do all we can to truly represent you. This is just the beginning of many meaningful engagements—we are here to serve you!” he wrote.

We are deeply grateful to you all our compatriots at Makola who welcomed us with open hearts, sharing your thoughts, fears, challenges, and ideas.

We assure you that we will always remain mindful of your needs as a government.
we will do all we can to truly represent you. This… pic.twitter.com/Bz0aHYU08e

— Ministry of Finance, Ghana (@MoF_Ghana) March 8, 2025

In a subsequent session on X Spaces, hosted by social media influencer KalyJay, on Sunday, March 9 Dr Forson indicated that the government remains committed to open dialogue and continuous engagement with the people

“Thank you to the over 60,000 participants who joined our engagement on X! Your input is crucial, and this is just the start of more meaningful interactions. To ensure every voice is heard, we’ve shared a Google Form for those who couldn’t ask their questions directly. Your views matter! The government remains committed to open dialogue and continuous engagement with the people. Stay connected!” he wrote.

Thank you to the over 60,000 participants who joined our engagement on X! Your input is crucial, and this is just the start of more meaningful interactions.

To ensure every voice is heard, we’ve shared a Google Form for those who couldn’t ask their questions directly. Your views… pic.twitter.com/N06yMKZWHs

— Ministry of Finance, Ghana (@MoF_Ghana) March 9, 2025

During the engagement itself, Dr Forson acknowledged that, despite recent efforts, Ghana’s financial situation remains fragile.

USAID funding cut: Marricke Gane tells Government of Ghana to create a Country Devt Funding Priority policy

He cautioned against complacency, stating, “Let me make this point: let’s not deceive ourselves that the country is out of the woods yet. Our economy is still in distress, and the first thing we will need to do is to take measures to bring us back to the stability that we deserve.”

Govt will remain mindful of your needs – Finance Minister assures Ghanaians