A nurse performs a blood test in a hospital in Accra. Ghana refused to shared health data with the US.

• Ghana abandoned a $109 million US health deal due to concerns over sharing sensitive health data.
• The deal required Ghana to waive health sovereignty and violate domestic data protection laws.
• Several African nations reject similar US deals while Germany reassures partners of continued support.

Concerns over the sharing of sensitive health data have reportedly led Ghanaian officials to abandon a health deal worth millions of dollars proposed by the United States.

As part of the Trump Administration’s “America First” strategy, which has shifted focus onto bilateral deals rather than multilateral aid, the new US model aims to transition funding responsibility for health commodities and services to Ghana.

This means Accra would have to increase its own investment in health systems.

Previously, this was largely supported by US-contracted NGOs.

However, since Trump’s dismantling of USAID in 2025, there is far less development funding available.

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However, a source told DW that Ghana would not sign a multi-year deal, reportedly worth around $109 million (€93 million), because Ghana would have to waive key aspects of its health sovereignty.

This image shows an operating theatre in a private hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This includes sharing control over its healthcare decisions, data, and resources with US authorities.

Is the US-Ghana health deal dead?

For Ghana, this would violate domestic law, including the Data Protection Act and the Public Health Act.

The deal also requires Ghana to bypass parliamentary ratification, a constitutional requirement for bilateral agreements.

A government source, who spoke anonymously to the AFP, said the deal is “dead” after US negotiators allegedly became “hostile” and piled “pressure” on Ghana, which pushed back on the demand for personal data.

Additionally, the funds offered to Ghana are considerably less than those in similar proposed deals with Kenya and Nigeria, which were offered $2.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

A nurse cares for a patient in a private hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Ghana’s government has yet to release an official statement on the deal, but Ghanaians who spoke to DW said they were concerned about the US demands for data sharing. “Sharing the health data of individuals is very critical,” a young professional said, adding that it shouldn’t be allowed.

“Health data is a personal document. What actually is making them ask for health data?”

Another man said he disagreed with sharing that information with other countries “because it might go against us”.

Some African nations reject US health deals 

The US has pursued a similar strategy in other African countries.

German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) attended the World Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, and said it was important for Germany to show it was a reliable partner.

Eva Krafczyk/picture alliance via Getty Images

According to the US State Department, at least 32 such deals worth about $20.6 billion have been signed under the America First Global Health Strategy with nations including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Lesotho and eSwatini.

Some countries are treating the US strategy with suspicion.

In February, Zimbabwe rejected a similar proposal, saying the terms threatened its autonomy, while a deal with Zambia has not moved forward after Washington demanded access to mineral rights and data.

German minister seeks to reassure Kenya

Germany’s Development Minister, Reem Alabali Radovan, was in Nairobi to reassure the East African nation of Germany’s continued commitment to Kenya.

She described Germany’s relationship to Kenya, which has the biggest economy in East Africa, as “strong”.

“We see a lot of potential when it comes to German investment, especially when it comes to health care and also Kenya as a strategic partner for us when it comes to multilateralism,” Radovan told DW.

Pallets of USAID Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food for children are marked for disposal at the MANA Nutritional warehouse in Pooler, Georgia.

Stephen B Morton for The Washington Post via Getty Images

In contrast to the US, Germany has continued to promote multilateral initiatives and institutions such as the World Health Organisation, despite also cutting aid.

“The cuts from the US government, especially in the global health sector, are very painful,” Radovan said.

“We can see them looking at multilateral funds like Gavi and the Global Fund, which are combating malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, and we cannot fill the gap alone.”

She said Germany intends to place a strong focus on global health, vowing that Berlin would not pull out of it.

“It’s important to show our partners in the regions that we are a reliable partner, especially when it comes to African countries,” she added.

This article was originally published on dw.com.