The United States has requested fresh talks with Ghana over a proposed $109 million health funding agreement after the government rejected provisions it said raised concerns about national sovereignty and the sharing of sensitive health information of citizens.
President John Dramani Mahama says Washington has expressed willingness to revisit the disputed clauses, with both countries expected to discuss possible amendments or their removal.
Speaking at a citizens’ engagement in Goaso in the Ahafo Region, Mahama disclosed that US officials had approached Ghana for further negotiations following Cabinet’s decision to reject the proposed agreement.
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“The health compact the Americans brought to us, I have talked about it when I was in New York, so everyone knows about it. Later, they came back and said they wanted us to sit down and discuss the clauses we object to in the compact, with a view to either amending or removing them. We will sit down with them and discuss,” he said.
The proposed compact would provide Ghana with approximately $109 million in US health assistance over five years.
However, a government review raised concerns about several provisions, including requirements relating to the sharing of sensitive health information, Ghana’s financial obligations under the agreement and the regulatory authority of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Among the key objections was a provision requiring Ghana to share its pathogen profile with the United States.
President Mahama also questioned provisions he said would require Ghana to provide medical records, raising concerns about data privacy and the protection of sensitive health information.
The latest development opens the door to renewed negotiations over the agreement, although it remains unclear which provisions the US would be willing to amend or remove.