Ghana’s progress in protecting children through routine immunisation is facing renewed pressure following cuts to United States aid, with an estimated $78.2 million shortfall in health funding.
Ghana was one of the first African countries to introduce the RTS,S malaria vaccine into its routine immunisation programme. In Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, the vaccine was associated with a 13 percent reduction in child mortality, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong vaccination systems.
However, vaccination programmes depend on more than vaccines. Health workers must reach remote communities, follow up with children who miss doses, maintain cold-chain equipment and ensure vaccines are transported safely.
The suspension of USAID programmes has left Ghana facing an estimated $156 million funding gap across affected programmes, including malaria prevention, maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning and HIV services.
A study of donor withdrawal in northern Ghana found that 75 percent of districts surveyed experienced vaccine delays or irregular supplies. Problems were also reported with cold-chain equipment, delivery kits and fuel needed for transportation.
Health officials and civil society organisations have urged Ghana to increase domestic funding and reduce its dependence on foreign assistance.
Nana Owusu Ensaw, municipal director of health for Akuapim North, said the funding crisis could be an opportunity for Ghana to rethink how healthcare is financed. He called for greater private-sector investment in areas such as diagnostics, telemedicine and specialist healthcare.
Private hospitals have also indicated their willingness to support the health system. However, private investment cannot immediately replace the public infrastructure required to deliver routine vaccinations, particularly in remote communities.
The situation is especially concerning in Ghana’s Oti Region, where many communities are rural and difficult to reach. A 2025 study found basic antigen coverage in Oti at 85.3 percent, while coverage for the national immunisation schedule stood at 62.1 percent.
Mark Appiah, chairman of the Oti Regional Health Committee, warned that financial pressures could affect outreach programmes, transportation, supervision and efforts to trace children who miss vaccinations.
He stressed that children should not lose access to life-saving vaccines because of where they live or because of temporary funding shortages.
Ghana is also facing a longer-term challenge as it moves toward taking greater responsibility for financing its immunisation programme. The country is transitioning from support by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and is expected to take full responsibility for vaccine financing by 2030.
The government has begun exploring domestic solutions, including removing the cap on funding from the National Health Insurance Scheme and supporting efforts to develop local vaccine manufacturing.
For Ghana, the immediate challenge is to protect current immunisation gains while building a healthcare system that can increasingly finance itself.
As health officials meet to discuss the future of healthcare across Africa, Ghana’s experience highlights a broader question: how quickly can African countries strengthen domestic health financing without allowing essential services for children to deteriorate?
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