Is Ghana's healthcare system ready to survive in the face of a third world war?

This is not a question born of fear, but of foresight and national responsibility. In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, shifting alliances and geopolitical tension, it is only prudent to ask: If a Third World War were to break out, would Ghana’s healthcare system and its programs be able to stand on their own?

For decades, Ghana’s healthcare sector has thrived on strong international partnerships. Nations such as the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and South Korea have been instrumental in supporting the system through funding, technical expertise, and the provision of essential medical resources.

Initiatives such as USAID, PEPFAR, and the Global Fund have helped Ghana make significant progress in combating malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and maternal mortality.

These collaborations have saved lives, built infrastructure, and expanded access to medical care across the country.

Yet, behind this remarkable progress lies a quiet vulnerability. Ghana’s healthcare success story has been deeply intertwined with the stability and goodwill of its development partners.

But what would happen if these same partners were suddenly drawn into a devastating global conflict?

A Third World War would not only consume their attention and resources but could also disrupt the global health aid system upon which many developing nations including Ghana depend.

If war erupts among the world’s major powers, funding would likely be diverted to military expenditure, and global trade routes could collapse.

The importation of essential medicines, vaccines, and hospital equipment would be severely affected. Donor-driven health programs could be suspended indefinitely as nations turn inward to focus on their own survival.

In such a scenario, how would Ghana’s hospitals continue to function? How would our health workers respond to outbreaks when even basic medical supplies are scarce?

This is not an exaggeration, but a plausible concern. The COVID-19 pandemic already exposed how fragile global cooperation can be. When borders closed and vaccine nationalism took hold, Ghana — like many African nations — struggled to access vaccines and critical health supplies.

If a virus could reveal such vulnerabilities, how much more devastating would a global war be?

The lesson is unmistakable: Ghana must begin to strengthen its healthcare sovereignty the ability to finance, produce, and sustain its own health services even when the world turns inward. This demands visionary investment in local pharmaceutical production, medical research, and the training and retention of healthcare professionals.

It also calls for renewed commitment to domestic revenue mobilization and prudent management of public health funds.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) provides a solid foundation, but it cannot stand alone. It must be reinforced by sustainable policies and innovative financing models that ensure continuity of care in times of global instability.

Equally important, Ghana must continue to engage the world with diplomacy and strategic foresight. Partnerships with the international community should be based not on dependency but on shared responsibility and mutual respect. We must remain open to cooperation while preparing for self-reliance.

Maintaining a diplomatic balance fostering good relations with both Western and Eastern powers will be crucial to ensuring Ghana is not isolated in times of crisis.

The “America First” policy under former U.S. President Donald Trump quietly reminded the world that even long-standing allies may one day choose to look inward. For Ghana, that moment served as more than a foreign policy lesson it was a wake-up call.

It underscored that our long-term survival depends not on external aid, but on our own resilience and capacity to adapt.

Therefore, as global tensions rise and discussions of conflict grow louder, we must confront a question that strikes at the heart of our national preparedness: If our partners are at war, can we still care for our own people?

The answer will not lie in panic, but in preparation in our willingness to plan ahead and build a healthcare system that is self-sufficient, innovative, and resilient.

Because in a world where alliances may falter and aid may cease, the true strength of Ghana will not be measured by who helps us — but by how well we can help ourselves.

Joseph Odoom

A student at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), University of Ghana.