Ghana’s health security could face increased strain following the United States’ decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang. He has cautioned that the move carries serious consequences not only for Ghana but for the stability of global health governance.
In a press statement issued on Monday, January 26, Dr Agyemang described the US withdrawal as a major disruption to the global health framework, warning that its effects would be felt most sharply in low- and middle-income countries that depend on multilateral coordination.
“The United States’ departure from the WHO is not merely a political signal; it is a structural shock to the architecture of global health,” he stated, adding that Ghana relies heavily on international cooperation for disease control, technical support and emergency preparedness.
At the centre of his concern is the financial gap left behind by the US exit. Dr Agyemang noted that the United States previously contributed roughly 15 per cent of the WHO’s total budget, making it the organisation’s largest historical donor. He warned that the resulting funding shortfall could weaken critical WHO operations, including disease surveillance, emergency response mechanisms and policy guidance.
According to him, such limitations could leave Ghana more exposed to cross-border health threats. He pointed to diseases such as cholera, meningitis and emerging zoonotic infections, stressing that outbreaks do not respect national boundaries and cannot be managed effectively in isolation.
Beyond funding, the MP warned that the US decision risks eroding global coordination in health governance. He argued that the WHO plays a central role in aligning international responses, setting health standards and ensuring fair access to vaccines and essential medicines.
“If global leadership becomes fragmented, we risk duplication of efforts, weaker adherence to international health regulations and partnerships driven by interests rather than public health needs,” Dr Agyemang said.
He further cautioned that such fragmentation could complicate Ghana’s long-term health planning and introduce greater uncertainty into health financing and programme continuity.
Despite these concerns, Dr Agyemang described the situation as a moment of strategic reflection for Ghana. He said the development should encourage the country to strengthen domestic health financing and reduce its vulnerability to external funding shocks.
“This moment should compel Ghana to accelerate reforms in domestic health financing and diversify its global health partnerships,” he said, noting that countries with broader alliances and stronger internal funding mechanisms are better positioned to absorb external disruptions.
He cited ongoing initiatives, including efforts to expand the National Health Insurance Scheme and emerging financing strategies for non-communicable diseases, as positive steps toward building resilience.
Dr Agyemang, however, stressed that safeguarding Ghana’s health system would require collective national action. He called on government agencies, policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise investments in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and primary healthcare.
“This is not a time for complacency,” he warned. “Existing gains must be protected and strengthened, even in the face of fiscal constraints.”
He also urged Ghana to intensify South–South cooperation, strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing and sustain diplomatic engagement with international partners to help stabilise global health financing.
“At this pivotal moment,” he concluded, “sustained multilateral cooperation remains indispensable. Protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening collective global resilience must remain our shared priority.”
