DW: Ghana rejects multimillion-dollar US health deal over privacy concerns

Concerns over the handling of sensitive health data have reportedly prompted Ghana to walk away from a multimillion-dollar healthcare deal proposed by the United States.

The agreement was part of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach, which shifts away from multilateral aid toward bilateral deals. Under the proposed model, responsibility for funding key health services and supplies would gradually move to Accra, requiring Ghana to ramp up domestic investment in its healthcare system.

However, according to information obtained by the Deutsche Welle, Ghana declined to sign the multi-year deal—reportedly worth around $109 million over concerns it would compromise national sovereignty.

The terms allegedly required Ghana to share control over healthcare decisions, data and resources with US authorities. Such provisions would conflict with Ghanaian law, including the Data Protection Act and the Public Health Act. The deal also reportedly called for bypassing parliamentary ratification, which is constitutionally required for bilateral agreements.

According to the article, another source told the AFP that the agreement is effectively “dead,” claiming US negotiators became “hostile” and applied “pressure” during talks—particularly over demands for access to personal health data.

The same source noted that the financial package offered to Ghana was significantly smaller than similar proposals made to other African countries, with Kenya and Nigeria reportedly offered $2.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

While the Ghanaian government has yet to issue an official statement, some citizens voiced unease about the data-sharing provisions. “Sharing the health data of individuals is very critical,” one young professional told Deutsche Welle, adding that it should not be permitted.

No unanimous support from Africa

Washington has pursued comparable agreements across Africa. The US State Department says at least 32 deals—worth a combined $20.6 billion—have been signed under its global health strategy with countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Still, not all governments have been as receptive. The DW reports that Zimbabwe rejected a similar proposal in February, citing risks to national autonomy, while talks with Zambia have stalled amid US demands for access to mineral resources and data.

Even in Kenya, where an agreement was initially signed in December 2025, courts have since suspended the deal over concerns about personal data protection—highlighting growing resistance to the US approach across the region.

By Nazrin Sadigova