What to know about $113.3 million UN support to Ghana after aid cuts

The United Nations (UN) Country Team in Ghana increased its programme delivery rate from 64 per cent in 2024 to 80 per cent in 2025, following the implementation of projects worth $113.3 million across the country.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com on June 18, 2026, the investment was channeled through 34 UN agencies working with 185 implementing partners under seven joint programmes.

The interventions focused on five key areas: poverty reduction and economic inclusion, health, education and social services, peace, security and governance, disability inclusion and gender equality, as well as climate finance and digital transformation.

Among the major achievements in the UN's 2025 Annual Results Report was the movement of approximately 950,000 people out of multidimensional poverty between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025.

The report also noted improvements in maternal healthcare, with maternal mortality declining from 310 deaths to 234 deaths per 100,000 live births during the period under review.

Despite security challenges in some parts of the country, the UN reported that Ghana's overall security environment remained stable.

The report cited the displacement of about 34,000 people as a result of the Gbinyiri conflict and more than 150 deaths linked to the protracted Bawku conflict.

It further noted that immigration patrol coverage was expanded from 12 kilometres to 22 kilometres to strengthen border security.

As part of peacebuilding initiatives, 24,226 students received digital safety awareness training, while 54 journalists were trained in conflict-sensitive reporting.

The resulting peace messaging campaigns reportedly reached about 100,000 radio listeners and generated 1.5 million video views.

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The UN also reported gains in disability inclusion and gender equity programmes implemented across Ghana's 16 regions.

According to the report, child marriage prevalence declined from a baseline of 19 per cent to 16.1 per cent. In addition, a national disability data framework was developed to improve planning and service delivery for persons with disabilities.

On climate action, the UN said its programmes helped divert 24,152 tonnes of organic waste from landfills.

The organisation also supported the development of Ghana's disaster risk financing strategy and contributed to the advancement of a parametric flood insurance solution designed to protect approximately 4.9 million people from climate-related shocks.

Speaking at the launch of the Annual Results Report in Accra on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, attributed the improved performance to stronger coordination and accountability among UN agencies.

“We are improving our delivery rates because we are ready to deliver with greater discipline and greater reliability across the 34 agencies,” he said.

Choudhury noted that although the UN's annual budget envelope of more than $113 million may appear modest compared to national infrastructure spending, the funds are carefully targeted and managed to maximise impact.

“The UN's annual envelope of over US$113 million may not seem large compared to national infrastructure spending, but it is managed with careful targeting, careful coordination and careful accounting,” he stated.

He cited improved educational outcomes, nutrition support for vulnerable groups, increased access to seeds and financing for farmers, greater economic opportunities for women and girls, and enhanced community resilience to climate shocks as some of the key results achieved through the programmes.

Also speaking at the event, David Klotey Collison, Coordinating Director of Operations at the Ministry of Finance, praised the longstanding partnership between Ghana and the United Nations.

He described the UN as a strategic development partner supporting the country's efforts in service delivery, social protection, climate resilience, economic transformation and peacebuilding.

“Over the past year, Ghana has made deliberate efforts to strengthen fiscal policy, optimise public investment and enhance domestic resource mobilisation, but international cooperaiton remains necessary in achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Mr Collison noted that Ghana's focus was gradually shifting from economic stabilisation to long-term transformation and resilience, adding that partnerships with development agencies and the private sector would remain critical to achieving sustainable growth.

He expressed the government's appreciation to the UN and its partners for their continued support and pledged stronger collaboration to achieve greater development outcomes in the years ahead.

VPO