Ghana Rejects US Aid Deal Over Personal Data Dispute
A proposed multi-year aid agreement between Ghana and the United States has collapsed following disagreements over access to citizens’ personal data, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
The development marks a setback in ongoing efforts by Washington to reshape its engagement across Africa after policy changes under Donald Trump led to the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development and reduced the role of non-governmental organisations in aid delivery.
“The deal is dead,” the source told AFP, indicating that discussions had reached an advanced stage before breaking down. Ghana’s negotiating team reportedly included officials from the country’s health sector, suggesting the agreement was partly focused on public health interventions.
According to the source, tensions escalated after US negotiators insisted on access to personal data of Ghanaian citizens as part of the arrangement. Ghanaian officials resisted the request, prompting what was described as a “hostile” response and increased pressure from the US side.
Details of the proposed agreement remain limited. However, the source said the deal was valued at approximately $109 million over a five-year period. The funding was expected to support health-related programmes, although specific components were not formally confirmed.
In an emailed response to AFP, a spokesperson for the US State Department declined to disclose details of the negotiations, stating that the department “does not disclose the details of ongoing bilateral negotiations.” The statement indicated that the funding would likely have supported efforts to combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Officials at Ghana’s Ministry of Health had not issued a public response at the time of reporting.
The breakdown highlights growing sensitivities around data governance and sovereignty in international development partnerships. Across Africa, governments have increasingly raised concerns about the handling, storage and external access to citizen data, particularly in agreements tied to health systems and digital infrastructure.
The halted talks also reflect a broader shift in US foreign assistance strategy, with new bilateral frameworks replacing earlier models that relied heavily on multilateral agencies and NGOs. While these changes aim to streamline aid delivery, they have also introduced new conditions that may complicate negotiations with partner countries.
For Ghana, the decision to withdraw underscores the balancing act between securing external funding and maintaining control over sensitive national data. The long-term implications for health financing and bilateral relations remain uncertain, especially as both countries continue to engage on other fronts.