Justice systems in low-resource and conflict-affected settings are often stretched to breaking point. In Malawi, for example, fewer than 800 lawyers serve a population of 22 million, and legal aid caseloads run into the tens of thousands
In 2024, the FCDO commissioned Mott MacDonald to review “The Health Sector in Ghana and the Role of UK Development Assistance” from 1993 to 2023.
The report analyses Ghana’s health sector transformation over three decades, focusing on the evolving role of UK aid.
UK support is presented across six phases, each reflecting shifts in aid modalities and strategic interventions. In 1993, Ghana’s health system faced severe underfunding and the UK helped introduce the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), aligning donor and government efforts under “One Plan, One Budget, One Report.” which improved financial management and service delivery.
Key reforms supported by UK aid include the creation of the Ghana Health Service and the National Health Insurance Scheme. The report highlights how UK assistance adapted to changing priorities, funding levels, and political contexts in both countries.
This long-term review offers rare insights into development cooperation, underscoring the importance of aligning aid with national priorities and maintaining strong political will. It emphasises the value of combining financial support, technical expertise, and strategic collaboration to achieve sustainable health improvements—offering lessons for future partnerships.
Read the full report.
Justice systems in low-resource and conflict-affected settings are often stretched to breaking point. In Malawi, for example, fewer than 800 lawyers serve a population of 22 million, and legal aid caseloads run into the tens of thousands
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