Canada’s longstanding partnership with Ghana continues to deliver major gains in public health, women’s empowerment and youth development, with millions of Ghanaians benefitting from targeted support programmes implemented over the past several years.
Speaking at a media reception in Accra, the High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, Togo and Sierra Leone, Madam Myriam Montrat, disclosed that Canada’s backing for Ghana’s health system has already extended essential nutrition and reproductive health services to more than 6.5 million people nationwide.
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She noted that in recent years alone, Canadian-supported interventions have enabled about four million people—mostly women—to access and use modern sexual and reproductive health services, significantly expanding coverage for some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Madam Montrat added that Canada’s nutrition programming has reached 2.5 million adolescent girls, contributing to the reduction of anaemia prevalence among that demographic from 48% in 2022 to 43% in 2024.
“In our development cooperation, we are strengthening Ghana’s health systems, empowering women and girls, and fostering inclusive economic growth,” she said.
Strong support for gender equality and governance
The High Commissioner highlighted Canada’s role in advancing gender equality, particularly through the Women’s Voice and Leadership project, which supported Ghanaian women’s rights organisations that were instrumental in pushing for the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Law in 2024.
Canada, she said, is also helping with implementation by supporting local governance institutions that will operationalise the landmark legislation.
Partnership in health and social protection
Madam Montrat reaffirmed that Canada remains one of the top bilateral donors in the health sector to Ghanaians.
She cited Canadian support for the roll-out of free primary health care and assistance in strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access, equity and service delivery for Ghanaians.
Driving youth entrepreneurship and inclusive growth
Canada’s support also extends to job creation and economic empowerment.
Through partnerships in agribusiness, the green economy and micro, small and medium enterprise development, Canada is helping young entrepreneurs—especially women—access financing, improve business skills and integrate into larger markets, including opportunities connected to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra.
On skills development, Madam Montrat said Canada is heavily invested in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), having contributed CA$30 million to the sector over the past seven years to ensure training aligns with industry needs and better prepares young Ghanaians for the labour market.
“All these efforts are guided by our deep commitment to equality, equal opportunities and Ghana’s own development vision,” she said.
A partnership rooted in history
Reflecting on the long bond between the two countries, Madam Montrat recalled that Canada was among the first nations to recognise Ghana’s independence in 1957 and subsequently launched its first African bilateral development programme in the country.
Since then, Canada has provided over CA$2.5 billion in development assistance aligned with Ghana’s priorities, while both nations have remained close partners in global diplomacy and UN peacekeeping operations.
Madam Montrat stressed that the Canada–Ghana partnership is built on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to long-term development, adding that Canada is determined to continue supporting Ghana’s progress in health, governance, education and inclusive economic growth.
