Lawyer and social commentator Oliver Barker-Vormawor has called for legislation to expressly prohibit Ghana from sharing critical health data with foreign countries and companies.
His call follows President John Dramani Mahama’s disclosure that Cabinet rejected a proposed United States health compact after raising concerns over provisions that required Ghana to provide its pathogen profile and medical records.
Reacting to the President’s comments in a social media post, Mr Barker-Vormawor welcomed the government’s decision to reject the proposal but argued that Ghana needs stronger legal safeguards to prevent similar arrangements in the future.
“I would propose that we actually pass legislation that expressly forbids Ghana from sharing critical health data with foreign countries or companies,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that legislation could be amended by a future government, raising concerns about the long-term protection of Ghana’s health data.
“But one legislation can be amended by the next,” he added.
Mr Barker-Vormawor also expressed concern that attempts to secure access to Ghana’s health data could return through different arrangements, including contracts with private health solutions companies or technology providers.
He suggested that such arrangements could potentially be presented as health-sector solutions involving services, artificial intelligence or other technologies.
“If this country to country deal doesn’t work, they will come back as health solutions company offering services that some minister will single handedly contract out under some sole sourcing arrangement,” he said.
He further questioned whether Ghana’s political leadership could be relied upon to protect the country’s interests over the long term.
“I’m torn! Empire lays traps for us all around! Yet, our politicians cannot be trusted to hold the fort long term. How sad,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the protection of Ghana’s health data and the terms attached to international health partnerships.
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