The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has pledged full support for the United States’ renewed strategic approach to foreign aid under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), signalling Ghana’s readiness to realign with the U.S. agency’s priorities.
The statement follows a meeting of the MCC Board of Directors in Washington last week, where the Board, chaired by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, reaffirmed its commitment to using the MCC as a vehicle to advance the Trump administration’s “America First” foreign policy.
“MCC is an important tool to advance President Trump’s America First foreign policy agenda,” Landau said, emphasising the agency’s focus on return on investment, evidence-based implementation, and strict five-year project timelines.
MiDA’s Chief Executive welcomed the MCC’s direction, stating that Ghana is prepared to align its strategy with these principles. “MiDA will implement MCC projects that focus on return on investment, an evidence-based approach, and a strict five-year implementation timeline,” he said, reiterating Ghana’s ongoing commitment to the U.S. partnership.
The endorsement marks a renewed chapter in Ghana-MCC relations, following a major setback in 2019. At the time, Ghana lost access to $190 million in funding under the second tranche of the MCC Power Compact after the collapse of a 20-year concession agreement with Power Distribution Services (PDS).
The agreement—intended to bring private sector efficiency into electricity distribution—was nullified after the U.S. government deemed the arrangement non-credible.
MiDA, which led the implementation of the Power Compact, was at the centre of the failed reform and had overseen the transition process. The suspension was widely viewed as a blow to Ghana’s energy sector reform agenda and to broader efforts at attracting private sector investment.
Despite that history, MiDA remains optimistic. “We believe the foundations laid under the Power Compact still hold value,” the agency said, adding that Ghana is committed to transparency, private sector involvement, and achieving measurable results in line with MCC standards.
As MCC shifts toward a more strategic and outcomes-focused model, MiDA is positioning itself as a trusted partner, capable of meeting the U.S. agency’s high bar for accountability and effectiveness—both to advance Ghana’s development goals and align with America’s evolving foreign aid priorities.
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