USAID funding withdrawal jeopardizes Ghana’s malaria vaccine gains and child immunisation

Ghana’s early rollout of the RTS,S malaria vaccine contributed to a roughly 13 percent drop in child mortality, but the recent halt of USAID programmes has produced a $156 million overall funding gap, with health programmes facing a $78.2 million shortfall. The missing resources threaten malaria prevention, maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning and HIV services, and have already caused vaccine delays and irregular supplies in three-quarters of surveyed districts.

Municipal health director Nana Owusu Ensaw and hospital chief John Yabani argue that private-sector partnerships and new financing mechanisms could fill the void, though critics warn that private money cannot instantly replace public outreach needed for remote communities. In the Oti Region, where routine immunisation coverage is already uneven, officials stress that financing pressures could erode hard-won gains. Ghana is also preparing for a full transition from Gavi support by 2030, adding long-term pressure to secure domestic funding for vaccines. The situation underscores a broader challenge for low-income nations seeking health-system independence without compromising current services.