Ghana has withdrawn from talks on a new United States health aid deal after objecting to US demands for access to sensitive personal health data. The move is a fresh setback for President Donald Trump’s push to link parts of US foreign aid to wider data sharing agreements with partner countries.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the proposed bilateral agreement would have provided about 109 million dollars in US health assistance to Ghana over five years. In return, Ghana would have been required to grant the US extensive access to its national health data systems, including real time information on disease trends and other patient level records.
The government of President John Dramani Mahama decided that the conditions posed serious risks to privacy and national security and could breach Ghana’s data protection and health laws. After months of talks, Accra informed Washington that it could not accept the terms, especially the scope of data sharing demanded by the US side.
The negotiations began in November and initially proceeded smoothly, the source said. However, as discussions advanced, the US team reportedly increased pressure on Ghana to agree and set an April 24 deadline to conclude the deal. Faced with the time limit and unresolved concerns over personal data, Ghana chose to walk away rather than sign.
US officials have declined to give details, saying the State Department does not comment on the content of bilateral negotiations. But the dispute in Ghana follows similar problems with other countries, including Zimbabwe and Kenya, where courts and civil society groups have raised alarms over US backed health data sharing plans.
The proposals are part of a broader effort by Washington to secure faster access to global health information to track outbreaks and plan responses. Critics argue that the memorandums of understanding give the US government excessive and intrusive access to partner countries’ health systems and may expose citizens’ personal data to misuse.
Ghana’s decision highlights growing concern in Africa and other regions about balancing international cooperation on health with strong protections for privacy and national sovereignty. It also raises questions about whether other low and middle income countries will sign similar US deals if they fear losing control over sensitive data.
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