Ghana has been declared ineligible to receive U.S. economic assistance for the 2026 fiscal year, following delays in finalizing its debt restructuring deal. The announcement was made in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Candidate Country Report for FY2026, which lists countries qualified for U.S. development support.
The suspension falls under Section 7012 of the U.S. Foreign Operations Bill, which automatically disqualifies nations that have defaulted on debt repayments and are yet to complete restructuring agreements. This means Ghana will not benefit from U.S. economic aid, including key development and project funds, until the restructuring process is fully concluded.
Ghana, which is currently under an IMF-supported program, secured parliamentary approval in June 2025 for a $2.8 billion debt relief package involving 25 creditor nations, including the United States. However, U.S. policy requires formal completion of the restructuring before lifting aid restrictions.
The decision is expected to slow down certain development initiatives in education, health, and governance. Nonetheless, officials believe Ghana can regain eligibility once the debt restructuring is finalized.
While major U.S. economic assistance is suspended, other forms of cooperation—such as cultural programs, security partnerships, and limited grant projects—may still proceed. Experts stress that completing the debt restructuring process is the quickest path to restoring full aid eligibility.
