Ghana Rejects US Health Deal Over Data Privacy and Sovereignty Concerns

Ghana has rejected a proposed $300 million health agreement with the United States , citing data privacy risks, sovereignty concerns, and weak oversight provisions, in a move that reflects a growing trend across Africa to assert control over sensitive national data.

The proposed deal, part of Washington’s “America First” global health strategy , aimed to support Ghana’s public health system with $109 million over five years , targeting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. However, officials concluded that the conditions attached to the funding posed significant risks to national interests.

At the centre of the dispute were provisions granting broad access to Ghana’s health data systems . According to Arnold Kavaarpuo , Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission , the scope of access requested “went far beyond what would typically be required” . The agreement covered not only health records but also metadata, analytics dashboards, reporting tools, and data models , raising alarm over the extent of exposure.

A key concern was the clause allowing up to 10 US entities to access sensitive data without prior approval from Ghanaian authorities. Instead, Ghana would only be notified after such access occurred. Officials warned that this could effectively transfer control of the country’s health data infrastructure to foreign actors , posing risks to citizen privacy, national security, and governance oversight .

Despite the financial incentives, Ghana determined that the risks outweighed the benefits , particularly given reports of pressure to finalise the agreement within a fixed timeline . The government ultimately chose to walk away rather than accept terms seen as undermining data sovereignty and institutional control .

The United States Department of State has issued a limited response, stating it does not comment on details of bilateral negotiations but remains committed to strengthening ties with Ghana . Notably, it did not directly address the data protection concerns raised.

Ghana’s decision aligns with broader regional sentiment. Countries like Zimbabwe have rejected similar agreements, while Zambia has raised objections. Jean Kaseya of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also flagged “huge concerns” over data and pathogen sharing.

While Ghana has formally declined the current proposal, it remains open to renegotiation with stronger safeguards , signalling a broader shift toward equitable partnerships and data sovereignty in global health cooperation.