On behalf of the American people, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the Government of Ghana (GoG) in its efforts to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare to improve and save lives. USAID’s health priorities in Ghana are the ongoing response to COVID-19; reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health; nutrition; Malaria; HIV/AIDS; health system strengthening; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and social protection.
The people of Ghana have become significantly healthier over the past two decades, as measured by several key indicators. Between 2008 and 2022, under-five mortality decreased by 50% from 80 to 40 deaths per 1,000 live births. Available statistics from 2007 to 2017 show that pregnancy-related maternal mortality decreased by 24%, from 451 to 343 per 100,000 live births. The prevalence of malaria in children under five reduced significantly, from 26.7% in 2014 to 8.6% in 2022.
However, regional disparities persist. Northern Ghana lags in critical health outcomes, exhibiting high levels of under-five malnutrition, severe anemia, and child mortality; lower proportions of fully vaccinated children; and lower coverage of basic health services. Limited access to improved water sources and widespread open defecation remain significant challenges in many rural communities, particularly in the northern regions. Low contraceptive prevalence throughout the country (only 27.8% of married women use modern methods) and high fertility rates in the north negatively affect mothers’ health.
HIV remains high within key populations — 4.6% among female sex workers and 18% among men who have sex with men. Although access to health services is reasonably high, service quality remains weak. Despite these challenges, the GoG remains committed to achieving universal health coverage by 2030, with a focus on primary health care, and USAID is ready to support this goal.
