For Ghana, protecting health data matters more than multimillion-dollar deal with US
Ghana declined a proposed health agreement with the United States that would have seen the West African nation receive about $109 million over five years to help address diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, due to concerns about data privacy and governance.
The agreement was part of a broader $300 million package, with additional contributions expected from the Ghanaian government.
Despite the financial component, Ghana has rejected the proposal in its current form and communicated its position to the United States. The country is seeking revised terms that address its concerns over data protection and governance.
Arnold Kavaarpuo, executive director of Ghana’s Data Protection Commission, stated that the proposed deal included provisions that would allow US entities to access sensitive health data without sufficient safeguards. He explained that the level of access requested exceeded what is typically required in such agreements.
According to Kavaarpuo, the agreement extended beyond basic health data sharing. It included access to broader digital systems and infrastructure that support health data management. He also indicated that the agreement could allow individuals to be identified when necessary.
Kavaarpuo also disclosed that up to 10 US entities could have access to the data without requiring approval from Ghana.
The proposed deal is part of a wider US strategy under the “America First” policy, which involves signing similar agreements with multiple countries. More than 30 countries, many in Africa, have entered into such arrangements aimed at strengthening public health systems and addressing disease outbreaks, especially following reductions in US aid.
However, these agreements have raised concerns in several countries. Zimbabwe rejected a similar proposal over issues related to data protection, fairness, and sovereignty. Zambia has also expressed concerns.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
