UK and US announce $2.9 million towards strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system

The United Kingdom and United States are today contributing almost $3 million (GHS 44 million) towards a partnership with the Government of Ghana to strengthen financial management of the country’s health system.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will help 40 districts and more than 900 health facilities adopt Ghana’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in 2025.

GIFMIS aims to improve financial transparency and accountability within the health sector – with a particular focus on training key staff to effectively use digital systems for budgeting, reporting, and managing funds.

Better financial management will, in turn, lead to improved delivery, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare for Ghanaians.

The announcement comes on the UN’s Universal Health Coverage Day, which promotes the importance of quality and affordable healthcare for all.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will provide $1.8 million, while the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will contribute $1.1 million. The money will be used to purchase vital planning and reporting tools for Ghana’s health service.

Richard Sandall, Development Director at the British High Commission Accra, said: “Better financial management in the health sector means improved accessibility and quality of care for Ghanaians. That’s why we are proud to be joining this new partnership with USAID and the Government of Ghana: we can reach further and achieve more by working together.”

Ms. Kimberly Rosen, USAID/Ghana Mission Director, said: “As the largest bilateral development partner in Ghana, the United States is committed to supporting the Government of Ghana to strengthen its financial management systems to ensure transparent, accountable, and efficient use of donor and domestic funds.”

The MoU will build on an existing agreement between the Ghana Health Service and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) totaling $25 million to support primary health care and the strengthening of the health system.

The support will help implement the strategic objectives of Ghana’s Public Financial Management Strategy, with the health sector a priority to improve the use of GIFMIS.

Health facility, regional, and district management staff will be trained on GIFMIS and the Ghana Health Service Asset Management system, which documents the availability of health sector equipment and logistics across districts.