Aid cuts could Push 5.7 million Africans into poverty by 2026 — Mahama warns at World Health Assembly

President John Dramani Mahama has warned that ongoing cuts in United States development assistance could have devastating consequences for Africa, potentially pushing millions of people into poverty and worsening healthcare outcomes across the continent.

Speaking at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ghanaian leader said the suspension of USAID support to several African countries could significantly reverse progress made in poverty reduction, healthcare delivery and social protection programmes.

According to President Mahama, current estimates suggest that approximately 5.7 million Africans could fall into poverty by the end of 2026 if the trend of declining international aid continues.

“It is estimated that the direct consequences of these aid suspensions could push about 5.7 million Africans into poverty by the end of 2026,” Mr. Mahama stated during his address to global health leaders and policymakers.

The President also raised concerns about the long-term humanitarian impact of declining global health financing, warning that reduced support for healthcare programmes across Africa could lead to millions of preventable deaths within the next few years.

“We were told that by 2030, 9 million preventable deaths could occur due to these shifts,” he revealed.

Mr. Mahama explained that many African countries continue to depend heavily on international donor funding for critical healthcare services, including maternal healthcare, malaria control, vaccination programmes, nutrition support and HIV/AIDS treatment.

According to him, the reduction in development assistance exposes the vulnerability of healthcare systems that rely excessively on external funding to sustain essential services.

The Ghanaian President used the global platform to advocate for a major restructuring of international health financing systems, arguing that Africa must begin prioritizing stronger domestic healthcare systems and sustainable local funding mechanisms.

He emphasized that African governments can no longer depend solely on donor assistance to guarantee public health delivery and protect vulnerable populations.

President Mahama has consistently promoted the idea of health sovereignty through Ghana’s proposed “Accra Reset Initiative,” which seeks to encourage countries in the Global South to build resilient and self-sustaining healthcare systems.

The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign aid by strengthening local healthcare infrastructure, expanding domestic financing, improving medical research and encouraging pharmaceutical production within Africa.

Mr. Mahama noted that Ghana itself has already experienced the effects of declining international assistance, disclosing that the country lost approximately $78 million following the United States’ decision to suspend aid programmes to some African countries.

The funding cuts, according to the President, affected key sectors including malaria prevention, maternal and child healthcare, HIV/AIDS treatment, nutrition programmes and the supply of life-saving medicines.

He warned that unless African countries develop stronger internal systems for financing healthcare and social services, future reductions in donor support could create even deeper humanitarian and economic crises.

The President also stressed the importance of greater cooperation among African nations to improve healthcare resilience, share resources and strengthen regional public health responses.

The 79th World Health Assembly has brought together world leaders, health ministers, development agencies and experts to discuss urgent global health challenges, pandemic preparedness and sustainable healthcare financing.

This year’s Assembly is taking place amid growing concerns over declining international aid, economic uncertainty and increasing pressure on healthcare systems in developing countries.