Research/academic paper

Macroeconomic Policy Impacts on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ghana

“The HIV/AIDS pandemic has been perhaps the worst health challenge in recent history killing approximately 22 million people. In 2005, 3.1 million people died of AIDS related illnesses; an estimated 2 million come from Sub-Saharan Africa. Significantly, 65 percent of all infected cases come from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study attempts to provide fundamental evidence of macroeconomic policy constraints to HIV/AID spending in Ghana by examining the roles of International Financial Institutions (IFIs), donor agencies, local policy makers and the citizenry. In what follows is a description of the extent and depth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ghana and an examination of the national strategy to combat it. There is a description of the GoG financing strategy and an assessment of the finance gaps. There is then an examination of the macroeconomic implications of increased fiscal spending in this regard as well as an assessment as to whether fiscal space has been constricted by financing partners, namely international financial institutions. In the final section, there are key observations and a conclusion.”