The deaths last month are among the first to be directly attributed to cuts imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump after entering office on January 20, which he said were to ensure grants were aligned with his “America First” agenda.

“There should be global moral outrage that the decisions made by powerful people in other countries have led to child deaths in just a matter of weeks,” said Christopher Nyamandi, Save the Children’s country director in South Sudan.

Experts have warned that the cuts – including the cancellation of more than 90% of USAID’s contracts – could cost millions of lives in the coming years due to malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases.

The U.S. State Department said it did not have information about the deaths reported by Save the Children. A spokesperson said many U.S government programmes providing lifesaving aid in South Sudan remained active but that support for medical services had also been used to enrich the country’s leaders.

“While emergency lifesaving programmes continue, we will not, in good conscience, ask the American taxpayer to provide assistance that effectively subsidises the irresponsible and corrupt behaviour of South Sudan’s political leaders,” the spokesperson said.

South Sudan’s government has in the past acknowledged a significant amount of public corruption but denied specific accusations of graft, including against President Salva Kiir’s family.

Humanitarian aid to the country is often channelled through non-governmental organisations, largely because of corruption concerns.

Save the Children supported 27 health facilities in eastern South Sudan’s Jonglei State until earlier this year when the U.S. cuts forced seven to shut completely and 20 to close partially, the organisation said in a statement.

U.S. funded transport services to take people to hospital in the main local town also stopped for lack of funds, which meant the eight cholera patients had to walk in nearly 40°C (104°F) heat to seek treatment at the nearest health facility, it said.

Three of the children were under the age of 5, Nyamandi said.

Besides the U.S. cuts, more gradual reductions by other donors have strained the humanitarian response in South Sudan. Save the Children expects to spend $30 million in the country in 2025, down from $50 million last year, Nyamandi said.

Over a third of South Sudan’s roughly 12 million people have been displaced by either conflict or natural disaster, and the United Nations says the country could be on the brink of a new civil war after fighting broke out in February in the northeast.

A cholera outbreak was declared last October. More than 22,000 cases had been recorded as of last month, causing hundreds of deaths, the World Health Organization has said.

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In a statement on X, Rubio said these initiatives “spent tens of billions in ways that did not serve” or even harmed US interests. As a result, only 18% of USAID’s programs will continue, now under the administration of the State Department.

The move has sparked global concern, with humanitarian organizations warning of severe consequences, including potential threats to lives due to the sudden withdrawal of US aid.

The Trump administration has long emphasized aligning overseas spending with its “America First” policy. Shortly after Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, thousands of USAID employees were placed on leave, and many working overseas were recalled.

On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid funding and ordering a comprehensive review of USAID’s global operations. The review, led by billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), resulted in the cancellation of thousands of development contracts and widespread job losses within the agency.

Rubio confirmed that the US was “officially ending” approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs.

“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs to be administered more effectively under the State Department,” he stated. He also praised Doge and State Department staff for their “long hours in achieving this overdue and historic reform.”

However, the decision has sparked legal challenges. Democratic lawmakers and humanitarian groups argue that shutting down USAID-funded programs—previously approved by Congress—is illegal.

USAID played a crucial role in global humanitarian efforts, from famine detection to polio vaccinations and emergency food relief in conflict zones. The impact of the funding cuts is already evident.

In Sudan, the freeze on humanitarian assistance has led to the closure of more than 1,100 communal kitchens, leaving nearly two million people without food support amid ongoing civil war.

In Oman, dozens of Afghan women who fled the Taliban for higher education now face deportation after their USAID-funded scholarships were abruptly terminated.

Meanwhile, in India, the country’s first medical clinics for transgender individuals were forced to shut down in three cities after Trump halted foreign aid to the initiative.

The decision to dismantle USAID’s operations marks one of the most significant shifts in US foreign aid policy in recent history.

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The funding cut has already prompted President John Mahama to direct Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to seek alternative financial sources to bridge an estimated $156 million gap.

During his vetting on Monday, February 24, 2025, Thomas Ampem highlighted Ghana’s long-standing dependence on donor support for development initiatives but noted a consistent decline in aid inflows over the years.

“This happened at a time when we are in the process of preparing the 2025 budget, so I am sure the Minister will be able to make provisions to bridge the gap. This should bring us to the larger conversation about aid. We know that aid to our country has been dwindling over the years,” he stated.

He cited examples such as the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) ceasing its financial support to Ghana and the United Kingdom reducing its aid budget from 0.75% of its Gross National Product (GNP) to 0.5%.

“This should tell us that aid to our country will eventually dwindle to zero. The only difference between DANIDA and other donor funding compared to USAID is that the USAID withdrawal announcement came suddenly. But we have seen the trend, and it is important that we begin to plan our lives without aid and see what we can do for ourselves,” he told Parliament’s Appointment Committee.

Mr Ampem stressed that achieving economic self-reliance would require strengthening domestic revenue mobilization, expanding the tax base, and improving public spending efficiency.

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The Laadi Centre for Peace Building and Security Analysis (LACPSA-GHANA) emphasizes the importance of human security as a critical determinant of a country’s health.

Many fear the continent will face unanticipated challenges following the suspension of USAID bilateral support to Ghana and Africa.

However, LACPSA-GHANA takes a different stance, arguing that this is an opportunity for Ghana—and other African nations—to thrive.

If Ghana commits to producing just three key commodities—rice, corn, and soybeans—within six months, the country could potentially generate as much as, if not more than, the bilateral support of about $1.5 billion previously received from USAID.

This approach is feasible for other African countries as well, provided they adopt the right mindset and strategies.

Africa’s Unique Potential

Africa has a land area of 30.37 million square kilometers, giving it abundant natural resources, favorable weather conditions, and a ready labor force to produce these commodities at a lower cost while ensuring high yields and superior quality.

Many agricultural commodities in sub-Saharan Africa hold comparative advantages in global markets. With appropriate investments and partnerships, Africa could produce and sell these products on a large scale, tapping into the immense demand within the global economy.

The full value chain of production, processing, and export could generate significant revenues, far exceeding the deficit created by the suspension of USAID bilateral support.

Global Market Opportunities

Data from World Bank reports illustrate the vast potential of these commodities:

• Rice: The global rice market is projected to grow from $292.39 billion in 2022 to $334.24 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2% from 2023 to 2030.
• Corn: Valued at $297.99 billion in 2023, the global corn market is expected to reach $410.02 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% between 2024 and 2032.
• Soybeans: The global soybean market, valued at $200.37 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to $388.33 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2034.

By securing just 10% of these global markets, African countries could significantly exceed the current levels of foreign aid.

Challenges and Solutions

While there are challenges, such as limited investment in technology, irrigation infrastructure, and processing facilities, these obstacles can be overcome. International Joint Ventures (IJVs) and partnerships could bridge the gaps, while support from research institutions would ensure the adoption of best practices.

By addressing these issues, Africa can mitigate deficits in critical sectors such as education and healthcare.

Conclusion

LACPSA-GHANA strongly urges the government of Ghana and industry stakeholders to seize this opportunity. Developing a robust agricultural system focused on key commodities could end food insecurity, bolster resilience against future shocks, and create a self-reliant, thriving nation.

This approach is not just a solution to the current funding gap but a sustainable pathway to economic independence for Ghana and Africa as a whole.

Not only does the 35-year-old fear for his own survival as he takes life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs – but he says he will have to split up from his wife as they can no longer have safe sex.

His partner is HIV-negative and relies on PrEP, a medicine that reduces the risk of contracting HIV.

“It means that even my marriage will end, because actually without the preventive measures, she’s not going to stay,” he told the BBC.

“No condoms, no [anti-HIV] lubricants, no PrEP, nothing. We can’t stay in marriage without meeting. It means that I have to stay single.”

All the couple’s medicines and contraceptives were supplied thanks to funding from the US government’s main overseas aid agency USAID.

Since the sudden shutdown, which he heard about on social media, they have not been able to replenish their supplies. His wife has completely run out of PrEP now and they are both afraid that relying just on condoms – they have some left – is too risky.

Trump ordered the 90-day pause on foreign aid on his first day back in office, after which stop-work orders began to be issued to organisations funded by USAID.

Waivers were subsequently issued for humanitarian projects, but by that time the HIV programme Mr Tusubira was part of – run out of Marpi Clinic in the north of the capital, Kampala – had closed.

He phoned his counsellor at the Kiswa Health Centre III in the city to find out what was going on.

“My counsellor was in the village. He told me that he is no longer at the clinic.”

The father of one, who tested positive for HIV in 2022, has since missed a test to determine how much virus is in his blood and the strength of his immune system.

“I’m moving in the dark, in the darkness. I don’t know whether my viral load is suppressed. I’m traumatised.”

He does not think his job driving a motorbike taxi – known locally as a “boda-boda” – will be able to help his family get over the hurdles they now face.

“Some other people say that the drugs will be in private pharmacies… as a boda-boda rider I don’t know whether I can raise the money to sustain my treatment.”

They have also been impacted by the loss of services provided by non-government organisations (NGOs) that received funding from USAID, he says.

His wife was getting her PrEP via an NGO at Marpi and his five-year-old son was benefitting from one that provided school and food for vulnerable children.

“My child is no longer at school now,” he said.

Uganda’s health sector is heavily reliant on donor funding, which supports 70% of its Aids initiatives.

The East African nation is among the top 10 recipients of USAID funds in Africa. According to US government data, the country received $295m (£234m) in health funding from the agency in 2023 – ranking third after Nigeria which received $368m and Tanzania with $337m.

USAID also supports its malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy programmes – as well as funding maternal and child health services and emergency health assistance.

Thousands of healthcare workers have been impacted by the US funding freeze.

Dr Shamirah Nakitto, a clinician with Reach Out Mbuya (Rom) – a faith-based community organisation providing medical and psychosocial support to people living with HIV in Uganda – was based at Kisenyi Health Centre IV, which serves a densely populated slum in Kampala.

On average, she attended to 200 patients with HIV/Aids and tuberculosis daily. But after the stop-work order, all Rom-supported health workers were laid off.

Its tuberculosis unit now stands silent and its orphans and vulnerable children section has also been shut at Kisenyi.

“We are waiting for the 90 days. So, this compulsory leave, I hadn’t prepared for it,” she told the BBC.

“It was so abrupt. We didn’t have a proper handover at the facility. We just stopped working.”

Uganda’s health ministry says it is exploring ways to minimise disruptions.

Dr Diana Atwine, the top civil servant at the ministry, urged staff “willing to continue working in the spirit of patriotism as volunteers” to get in contact.

Further south in Malawi, USAID-funded activities have also ground to a halt.

The country received $154m from USAID’s health budget in 2023, making it the 10th largest recipient in Africa.

In the northern city of Mzuzu, the gates are shut at a clinic that has been a key provider of HIV services in the region. Vehicles sit idle; there is no sign of activity at the Macro Mzuzu Clinic. Workers locked the doors, turned off the lights and went home 18 days ago.

Despite the US State Department’s waiver on 28 January allowing the delivery of medicine such as ARVs, many clinics have closed as without the critical staff who co-ordinate USAID’s activities, distributing medicines is a challenge.

Even where services are technically permitted to resume, many contracts remain in limbo. Health workers are unsure of what they can and cannot do.

The Trump administration plans to reduce USAID staff by more than 90%.

Atul Gawande, USAID’s former global health assistant administrator, posted on X that the agency’s workforce would be slashed from 14,000 to 294 – with only 12 staff assigned to Africa.

More than 30 NGOs in Malawi have also been severely impacted by the funding freeze.

Eddah Simfukwe Banda, a 32-year-old subsistence farmer, has been getting ARVs since 2017 from the Macro clinic, where various NGOs were providing HIV programmes.

She is worried about her own fate – and that of her sister-in-law, who also relies on donor-funded medication – and says they little option but to pray.

“We have to pray as Malawians. Those of us that believe depend on a God who opens doors when one is closed,” she told the BBC.

The mother of three, who has a three-week supply of ARVs left, also said systemic failures were to blame: “As Malawians, we depend too much on receiving aid. At times we are lazy and squander and rely on other countries to help us.

“Let this be a lesson that we have to be independent,” she said.

But this is difficult for one of the poorest and most aid-dependent countries in the world. According to the World Bank, Malawi is vulnerable to external shocks – including prolonged droughts, cyclones and erratic rainfall.

A disruption of this magnitude in its healthcare system presents an enormous challenge.

For decades, the US has been Africa’s most significant public health partner.

In particular through its ground-breaking programme to counter the global spread of HIV, which was launched in 2003. Called the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), it has saved more than 25 million lives.

According to head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), USAID gave $8bn of aid assistance to Africa over the past year.

“Seventy-three per cent went to healthcare,” Jean Kaseya told BBC Newsday last month.

Health experts warn that replacing this funding will be extremely difficult.

African governments have made strides in reducing aid dependency. Kenya now funds nearly 60% of its HIV response. South Africa covers almost 80%.

But for many low-income nations, debt burdens, climate disasters and economic shocks make self-sufficiency nearly impossible.

Amref Health Africa, one of the leading health NGOs on the continent, warns that without urgent action, global health security is at risk.

“This would require African governments and Africa CDC to increase their own funding, which is almost impossible under the current debt distress conditions,” its CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi told the BBC.

“With accelerating outbreaks from climate change and human-environmental conflict, this would leave the world fragile and unsafe – not only for Africa but for everyone.”

Worldwide in 2023, there were 630,000 Aids-related deaths and 1.5 million new infections.

While infection rates have been declining in the worst-affected countries, the impact of the USAID shutdown could reverse these gains.

“If you take away this major contribution by the United States government, we expect that in the next five years, there’ll be an additional 6.3 million Aids-related deaths,” Winnie Byanyima, the head of UNAids, told the BBC’s Africa Daily podcast this week.

“There will be 8.7 million new infections, 3.4 million additional Aids orphans. I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom, but I have a duty to give the facts as we see them.”

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has also warned of the dangers of interrupting HIV treatments.

“HIV medicines must be taken daily or people run the risk of developing resistance or deadly health complications,” Tom Ellman, from MSF Southern Africa, has said in a statement.

Back in Uganda, Mr Tusubira feels bleak about the future.

He has about 30 days left of his ARV medication – and may opt to leave Kampala and go home to his village after that.

“At least it will be a bit simpler. If I die, they just bury me there, instead of disturbing my people here in Kampala.

“Because I have no way I can live here without ARV services.”

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The decision comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump moved to shut down USAID, citing concerns over its use of taxpayers’ money for foreign aid.

The suspension is expected to have widespread economic consequences across Africa, with Ghana facing a revenue shortfall of $156 million.

Of this amount, $78.2 million will directly affect essential health programs, including malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS interventions.

Speaking at a town hall forum during the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday, President Mahama acknowledged the challenges posed by the funding cut.

However, he urged Africans to take proactive steps by boosting local food production and exploring alternative funding sources to mitigate the impact.

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A statement from the Presidency on Tuesday, February 11, signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that the President is deeply concerned about the estimated $156 million funding deficit.

This deficit threatens critical programs such as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS interventions, including the availability of antiretroviral drugs and testing services.

To mitigate the potential impact, President Mahama has directed that priority be given to securing alternative funding for these essential healthcare programs.

The statement emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that public health services remain unaffected despite the USAID funding disruption.

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A USAID statement said the order would affect all “direct-hire personnel” except those on “mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs”.

It’s unclear exactly which jobs are affected. The statement, posted on the agency’s website, said employees would be notified by Thursday afternoon.

The Trump administration has said USAID is wasting money and needs to align with the president’s policy priorities. Agency staff, backed by Democratic lawmakers, have protested over the cuts, saying they will put lives in danger and hamper national security.

President Donald Trump’s earlier decision to freeze foreign assistance has upended the global aid system, with effects already felt in multiple countries.

The agency, which provides humanitarian aid to more than 100 countries, employs 10,000 people worldwide. Two-thirds of those people work overseas, according to the Congressional Research Service.

USAID, founded in 1961, has a budget of around $40bn (£32.25bn) per year, amounting to roughly 0.6% of federal spending, according to official figures.

In a statement on its website on Tuesday, USAID said it would work with the US Department of State to arrange and pay for return travel for personnel posted outside the US within 30 days.

Those employees who are part of the exceptions will be told by 15:00 EDT (20:00 GMT) on Thursday, it said.

The statement concluded with the message: “Thank you for your service.”

Given that some USAID staff work in active conflict zones, it was not immediately clear how they would be withdrawn.

The measures are part of a string of cuts that Trump has enacted since returning to office last month through co-ordination with Elon Musk’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency.

Among the countries affected by the aid freeze is Haiti. The United Nations said Tuesday that it had been notified by the US that it was freezing $13.3m in aid destined for the country.

But on Wednesday the US State Department issued a waiver exempting $40.7m of foreign assistance for Haiti’s national police and the UN-backed international security support mission.

Earlier this week, the White House put out a statement listing a number of projects that it called evidence of “waste and abuse”, including a grant of $1.5m to an LGBTQ group in Serbia and $2.5m for electric vehicles in Vietnam.

However, critics have called the moves to close the agency an illegitimate power grab spearheaded by Musk, an unelected billionaire.

Earlier this week, Trump’s top diplomat, Marco Rubio, became the acting head of USAID as part of its reported merger into the State Department.

Closing USAID altogether would require an act of Congress.

On Tuesday, many USAID staffers received an email notifying them they had been placed on paid administrative leave.

The email, obtained by BBC News, told employees they must remain “available” by telephone and email during business hours, but were not allowed to enter USAID buildings.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Space X, has suggested USAID should be shut down entirely, as it is “beyond repair”.

Many have cautioned that closing the agency’s doors would have devastating effects on vulnerable populations across the world.

USAID’s activities range from providing prosthetic limbs to soldiers injured in Ukraine, to clearing landmines and containing the spread of Ebola in Africa.

An HIV patient in Nigeria told the BBC that she and others are worried that free anti-retroviral drugs, funded by USAID, would be cut off.

“I am really scared about what the future holds given all that is going on in America,” she said. “I got my last set of HIV drugs in November and I am supposed to go back in April… but I don’t know what would happen by then.

“These free drugs are really important for me and most of us (HIV patients) would be in trouble if it is affected,” she said.

Democrats in Washington DC have been particularly critical of changes to the agency, calling them “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.

“[USAID is] a foreign policy tool with bipartisan origins that is critical in this dangerous global environment,” New Jersey Democratic Senator Andy Kim, who previously worked at USAID, wrote on social media.

“Gutting it means gutting our ability to compete and keep America safe.”

Musk, who was appointed by US President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), on Monday branded USAID a “criminal organisation” after security officials reportedly denied members of his cost-cutting task force access to restricted areas of the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

“Time for it to die,” Musk wrote on his social media platform, X.

USAID’s director of security, John Voorhees, and his deputy, Brian McGill, were placed on leave after denying DOGE personnel entry to secure areas over their lack of security clearances, multiple US media outlets reported, citing unnamed officials.

The representatives of DOGE, which was created by an executive order from Trump but is not a government department, were ultimately able to access areas with classified information following the confrontation, which was first reported by CNN, according to multiple reports.

Steven Cheung, the White House director of communications, denied that DOGE personnel had attempted to gain access to secure areas, calling a PBS report about the incident “fake news” and “not even remotely true at all”.

“This is how unserious and untrustworthy the media is,” Cheung said in a post on X.

However, Katie Miller, who serves in DOGE, appeared to acknowledge the task force’s attempted entry, writing on X that “no classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.”

The incident has added to concerns that Trump, who has placed a freeze on nearly all foreign aid, is planning to radically curtail, or even outright dismantle, USAID.

On Saturday, the USAID website went offline while a barebones page for the agency appeared on the website of the Department of State, fueling speculation it would be subsumed into the government agency tasked with managing foreign policy.

“President Trump spent two weeks harassing and laying off USAID employees, and now his team is trying to gut the agency altogether,” Chris Coons, a Democratic senator for the state of Delaware, said on X.

“These are patriotic Americans who promote our leadership around the world. They make us safer. Trump makes us less safe.”

Jeremy Konyndyk, who served as director of USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance between 2013 and 2017, said that eliminating USAID without an act of Congress would be unlawful and a breach of the separation of powers enshrined in the US Constitution.

“If this gambit succeeds – if Trump (or Elon) can just override Congressional statutes and funding mandates, and Congress acquiesces – it’s a very dark sign … and it won’t stop at USAID,” Konyndyk said on X.

Democratic lawmakers also raised alarm about the scale of Musk’s influence over the government despite him not holding elected office.

Musk’s clash with USAID comes after The New York Times and The Associated Press news agency reported over the weekend that DOGE had gained access to the federal payment system, which holds sensitive personal information about millions of Americans.

“This is a five-alarm fire. The people elected Donald Trump to be President – not Elon Musk,” New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on X.

“Having an unelected billionaire, with his own foreign debts and motives, raiding US classified information is a grave threat to national security. This should not be a partisan issue.”

On Sunday, Trump told reporters that his administration would get the “radical lunatics” out of USAID before making a decision on its future.

Trump later singled out aid to South Africa, pledging to cut off “all future funding” in response to land confiscations and what he said was the poor treatment of “certain classes of people.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last week signed a controversial law that allows the confiscation of white farmers’ land without compensation in certain cases.

The US allocated nearly $440 million in assistance to South Africa in 2023, according to US government data.

“The United States won’t stand for it, we will act,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that the funding freeze would stay in place until a “full investigation of this situation has been completed.”

The US is by far the world’s largest source of foreign assistance, although less than 1 percent of its spending goes to aid, and some other countries give more as a proportion of their budgets.

Washington gave out $72 billion in foreign aid across nearly 180 countries in 2023, with more than half of it disbursed through USAID.

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The awards are expected to promote positive behaviour change in the fisheries sector.

The winners include Edward Tetteh Amesimeku, the most responsible fisher, Joana Quaicoe, the most responsible fish processor and the Azizanya community in the Greater Accra Region, the most responsible fishing community.

Other awards were presented for cleanest landing beach, best community fisheries leader, and best fisheries reporter. Award winners received citations, community dustbins, public address systems, canopies, and chairs, depending on the category.

“Today’s ceremony presents an opportunity to recognize those who are making significant contributions to safeguarding the future of Ghana’s fisheries,” said Andrew Read, USAID/Ghana Economic Growth Office Director.

“The United States supports responsible fishing in Ghana because fish are an essential source of food, nutrients and livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians,” he added.

The awards were organized under the USAID-supported Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity and recipients were selected based on their compliance with fishing regulations, sustainable fishing methods, hygienic fish handling and processing techniques, among others.

The United States is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner.

In 2023, bilateral assistance from USAID totalled over $140 million dedicated to supporting economic growth and agriculture, health, education, governance, and more.

USAID is providing $24 million (over GH¢355 million) in multi-year investments to restore Ghana’s coastal fisheries and improve ocean conservation along the coast.

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The activity supports local organizations, women and youth groups, and traditional and religious leaders to advocate for improved public service delivery.

It also equips service providers to be more responsive to citizen’s demands for quality essential services, particularly in basic education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and fisheries.

PAA is being implemented by Democracy International (DI) in close collaboration with the Government of Ghana partners and local CSOs, including the Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) and the Africa Disability Institute (ADI), GLOWA and ADI are the sub-awardees, leading activity implementation in the Oti Region.

Speaking at the launch, the PAA Deputy Chief of party, Linda Ofori-Kwafo, underscored the project’s core objectives.

“The project will enhance the capacity of government partners including sector agencies, district Assemblies, CSOs, and community-based organizations, to implement behavior-led capacity building and institutional strengthening interventions.

During the launch, GLOWA and ADI also facilitated a Regional sensitization workshop to introduce the project to key stakeholders including representatives from Regional Coordinating Councils, Municipal and District Assemblies, CSOs, community-based organizations, Non-governmental Organisations, influential leaders and representatives from Democracy International.

Reverend Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, the Regional Acting Chief Coordinator Director thanked sponsors for the program being launched in the Oti Region, saying it will go along to improve the assemblies to develop.

He assured that, the Municipal and District Assemblies would make good use of the opportunity in their respective areas.

The acting Regional Coordinating Director urged the MDAs to work closely with the partners to ensure that the Oti Region becomes one of the best areas.

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This was revealed by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer at Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region when she visited some of the impacted towns to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation.

The Ambassador interacted with flood survivors, including teachers, parents, students, the chiefs and queens of the areas, and was impressed by their deep bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

She also met with government officials and the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area to discuss sustainable ways of supporting these communities and expressed solidarity with the affected people, and the country.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Fiachra McAsey, the UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme, Country Director, and other officials.

Madam Palmer stated that in the face of adversity, collective dedication would light the way to recovery.

“We must stand together, united in our resolve to support you to rebuild and recover,” she said, adding that the assistance would aid in the restoration of education and learning in the impacted towns.

The Ambassador disclosed that the US donated $100,000 in October 2023, to help save lives, lessen suffering and facilitate the recovery of flood victims.

She said USAID also worked with the World Food Programme and the National Disaster Management Organisation, to set up temporary shelters, water, sanitation and hygiene services for the victims and send one-time cash donations to 700 affected families.

“Today we are scaling up that support with $500,000 of additional support, with the focus specifically, to help schools return to normalcy and for students to continue to learn. This will help restore teaching and learning in communities affected by the floods,” she said.

The Ambassador said through the Akosombo Safe Activity, USAID and UNICEF were supplying temporary school tents and necessary supplies like recreational kits and “schools-in-a-box,” which included teaching and learning materials.

Madam Palmer said the US was Ghana’s biggest bilateral development partner and the decades of collaboration had saved thousands of lives and pledged its dedication to helping the people of Ghana, particularly in times of humanitarian need.

She used the visit to donate some educational materials to the affected communities.

Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme Country Director praised the US and the Government of Ghana for the successful collaboration and support from others in handling the crisis.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, said to prevent the truncation of children’s education in the affected areas, they redistributed some of them to other schools and provided them with guidance and counselling.

He said they had also carried out school health awareness campaigns aimed at ensuring that the children remained healthy to continue with their education and commended the children for their determination so far.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr Divine Osborn Fenu, the District Chief Executive for North Tongu, thanked the US Ambassador for the visit.

He expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support and collaboration between Ghana and the USA, saying the Ambassador’s visit highlighted the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP of North Tongu, also commended the Ambassador for her visit and the US’s ongoing assistance to the flood-affected areas.

In addition, over 8,000 Ghanaian youth will be trained in the fishing sector.

This according to USAID will be a collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission.

The Deputy Mission Director, Grace Lang disclosed this at the two-day Fish Festival held in Accra.

She added that, they are currently training some youth in vocational and technical skills acquisition.

“We are offering skills training for about 8,000 individuals who are between the ages of 15-35. These programs include crew on canoes, porters, labourers, helpers at the processing sheds and fish traders,” she announced.

She stated that, the project is in line with U.S. government’s commitment to food security in Ghana and West Africa at large.

“USAID supports the Feed the Future Initiative to make sure there’s enough healthy and nutritious fish. Fish is not only important for meals but also for livelihoods of those who live along the coast .

“USAID has supported in the creation of committees like Scientific and Technical Committee, the Small Pelagic Co-management Committees , and the Landing Beach Enforcement Committees. These committees play a critical role in promoting responsible fishing and taking action to rebuild fish stocks for the future,” she added.

Madam Laing commended government for taking bold measures to end illegal transshipment at sea and the introduction of Electric Monitoring Systems for industrial vessels.

“USAID is supporting Ghana in better managing it’s fisheries , following key government policies and strategies. USAID is excited about Ghana’s efforts in developing its first ever annual Operational Plan for the fisheries sector, this plan will help achieve the goals laid out in the Marine Fisheries Management Plan,” she stated.

“Traders are unclear of what ends up being paid to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, what is paid in unofficial fees and how much goes directly to the freight forwarder,” the report stated.

Mr Robert Jackson, the US Ambassador to Ghana, launched the study dubbed ‘the Cost of Trading in Ghana’ at the monthly luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce.

High-level Ghanaian government officials and members of the private sector attended the event.

The study detailed how official and unofficial fees and charges associated with trade impacted Ghana’s trade volume, government revenues, and private sector viability.

Ghana undertook the study as part of its efforts to comply with benchmark guidelines in the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.

He said the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which went into effect on February 22, contained provisions for expediting the movement, release, and clearance of goods.

He also set out measure for Effective Corporation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and custom compliance issues.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development estimate that implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce worldwide trade costs by as much as 17.5 per cent, with the greatest benefits accruing to African and developing countries.

At the event, Ambassador Jackson stressed that adoption of the study’s recommendations and implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement would foster increased economic growth in Ghana.

“Ghana has tremendous potential to be ‘the trade gateway of Africa’,” he said.

“The United States will work with you to create an enabling business environment that builds on your economic and political stability and creates jobs for the citizens of both countries,” he added.

Ghana became a member of the World Trade Organisation more than 20 years ago, in 1995 and became the 95th country to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the first multilateral deal concluded in the WTO’s 22-year history.

“We applauded Ghana for the role it played in advancing what many refer to as “the greatest trade reform for a generation.”

He explained that rationalising and reducing port and custom fees and charges does not necessarily mean lost revenue.

“There are benefits to eliminating “nuisance fees and charges,” and to ensuring that when fees and charges are paid out, they are commensurate with service provision, adding that such actions are attractive to business and facilitate increased trade.”

USAID works with the Ghanaian government and private sector to target keys barriers to trade and investment, and promote regional integration and trade competitiveness.

It aims to increase intra-regional Africa trade and exports to the U.S. and reduce the time it takes to import or export from ports to land locked interiors on the continent.

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential.

It supports Ghana to increase food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.

Under the Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) program, a total of $37million has been pumped into providing small scale farmers in Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions, agro products including hybrid seeds and fertilisers to boost their yields.

Chief of Party for the ADVANCED project in Ghana, Dr. Emmanuel Dormon told Adom news farmers are also being trained in modern agricultural methods and means for ready markets for their yields.

He adds that the project also forms part of their contribution to advance government’s plans for the Planting for food and jobs policy announced by the NPP government.

Already, farmers are boasting of double yields in the first phase of the project in 2009-2014 with investment of about 32million dollars.

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source: Ghana/Adom News/Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson