By Prince Ahenkorah
Ghana has been dealt a major financial blow, finding itself on a U.S. blacklist that will see it cut off from receiving foreign assistance for the Financial Year 2026.
The shocking news comes after the United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), designated Ghana as “ineligible to receive foreign assistance” under the Millennium Challenge Compact.
This severe sanction is a direct consequence of Ghana’s ongoing debt crisis and its failure to secure a debt restructuring agreement. The restriction is a provision under Section 7012 of the Financial Year 2025 SFOAA.
According to the MCC’s latest Candidate Report, a copy of which was intercepted by The Star, Ghana is one of 18 countries barred from receiving economic assistance under Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act.
The report states unequivocally: “Ghana is ineligible to receive foreign assistance pursuant to the debt default restriction in Section 7012 of the FY [Financial Year] 2025 SFOAA pending a debt restructuring agreement.”
This prohibition, effective as of August 6, 2025, places Ghana in a grim category with nations facing a range of serious issues, from military coups to human rights abuses.
The MCC report noted that countries on this list, including Ghana, could face further statutory restrictions or determinations that would affect their legal eligibility for assistance in the future.
THE BLACKLISTED NATIONS AND THEIR OFFENCES
The full list of countries barred from U.S. assistance, and the reasons for their prohibition, paints a stark picture:
* Azerbaijan: Ineligible under Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.
* Burkina Faso: Ineligible due to a military coup restriction.
* Burma: Ineligible due to human rights concerns and a military coup.
* Eritrea: Ineligible due to human rights concerns and its Tier 3 status under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
* Ghana: INELIGIBLE due to a debt default restriction pending a debt restructuring agreement.
* Guinea: Ineligible due to a military coup restriction.
* Haiti: Ineligible unless the Secretary of State provides a specific certification.
* Iran: Ineligible due to numerous restrictions, including its Tier 3 status under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
* Mali: Ineligible due to a military coup restriction.
* Nicaragua: Ineligible due to numerous restrictions, including its recognition of Russian-occupied Georgian territories.
* Niger: Ineligible due to a military coup restriction.
* North Korea: Ineligible due to numerous restrictions, including its Tier 3 status under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
* South Sudan: Ineligible due to human rights concerns and its Tier 3 status under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
* Sri Lanka: Ineligible until the Secretary makes specific certifications regarding government actions.
* Sudan: Ineligible due to a military coup restriction.
* Syria: Ineligible due to numerous restrictions, including its Tier 3 status under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
* Venezuela: Ineligible due to its recognition of Russian-occupied Georgian territories.
* Zimbabwe: Ineligible until the Secretary of State certifies that the rule of law has been restored.