The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has justified Ghana’s decision not to sign a health deal with the United States.

Speaking to the media, he explained that Ghana is now shifting towards deliberate and strategic partnerships while investing more in its own healthcare system.

He said the country is moving away from dependency on foreign arrangements and is instead taking greater control of its health sector.

“You all heard from 2025 where a lot of Aids were withdrawn his excellency the president of Ghana instructed the minister of finance to fill all the gaps and went ahead to champion health sovereignty.

“We believe in Ghana that African nations must take their own destiny into their own hands to be able to invest or expend in health sector, it is very critical.

Mr Akandoh noted that Ghana’s position does not mean it is against partnerships, stressing that health collaboration should not create dependency or come with unnecessary conditions.

He said the country remains open to partnerships that support its development, but such cooperation must align with Ghana’s national interests.

He further stated that Ghana is ready to invest domestically in areas that need urgent attention, adding that funds from the National Health Insurance Scheme are being directed towards priority health needs.

Mr Akandoh cited vaccines as one of the key areas of investment, explaining that the budget for vaccines stood at about $24 million last year and that the country had the resources to cover it.

He added that this year, the vaccine budget has increased to about $48 million, and the government will continue to invest because it serves the public good.

“Already we are exiting from some of these programs, GAVI they support us with a lots of our vaccines but we are exiting, last year for example our budget for the vaccines stood around $24 million we had the money to invest in it.

“This year our budget is around $48 million, we are investing in it because the good of the public this year it is increasing so we are investing in where it is needed most,” he said.