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On a overcast midday in a suburb of Accra, a gathering comprising officials, diplomats, NGO workers, and media gathered upon a classroom where pupils sit around tables engaging with recycled materials.

This remedial program for out-of-school children, between eight and 16, is run by a local initiative mostly funded by the British government. The attention stems from a tour by a senior UK minister assessing the impact of diminished assistance funding.

Joining her is the nation’s top education official. “We appreciate the British government for its ongoing investment in our schools,” he remarks. “We are deeply worried about declining international development assistance to Africa and to Ghana. It does have consequences.”

He comments about lost opportunities for the youngsters and how the local authorities has had to fill the shortage left by shrinking aid budgets. The visiting minister hears attentively, maintaining a polite expression and gently nodding.

The minister was named after the British decision to reduce the aid budget from half a percent of gross national income to 0.3 percent, marking a record reduction in percentage terms. This was a shift from earlier commitments to supporting the most vulnerable communities.

The previous minister resigned in objection, saying that the cuts would harm the country’s image and take away essential resources from those in need. Seven months later, the current minister is overseeing the roll-out of these changes.

However she does not view her role as difficult, instead considering it as an chance to rethink development approaches. During her trip to Ghana, she commented, “This is the best job in public service. We can do a huge amount and make a difference for the better.”

Based on recent figures, the continent is the biggest recipient of UK aid, receiving nearly 1.5 billion pounds. Total ODA spending decreased by more than £1bn from the previous year, with a significant share spent on asylum seekers within the UK.

Support to Ghana has likewise reduced significantly in the past few years, dropping from 47 million pounds in five years ago to under 14 million pounds in last year.

Reduction] in support will inevitably put a lot of burden on our government

Some regions and crises, including African nations, Ukraine, and the Middle East, will continue to get protected funding. Additionally, the UK has committed support to global organizations with a proven record of results, including the Global Fund and vaccine alliance.

Yet, news has surfaced of individual programs being axed, such as financial support for environmental adjustments in a southern African country and education initiatives in South Asia.

“We will have less money to spend on conventional aid projects,” the official concedes. “This is a reality faced by numerous countries today. There is increasing strain on these budgets.”

Criticism of the reductions is widespread. A new report warns that the cuts will have a severe impact on women and girls and indicate that the UK is withdrawing from international leadership at a pivotal time.

When questioned about unfulfilled manifesto pledges, the official replied, “I disagree we have damaged our standing. Those who think that have a limited view of what global aid entails.”

She admits she would prefer there was additional money available but stresses that countries now want greater control over their development.

The leader of Ghana has earlier stated that the continent requires not pity or foreign aid, but rather a fair chance to trade with the global community. This view is echoed by several officials on the continent.

The minister’s visit in Ghana aimed to showcase achievements such as a revenue collaboration between UK and Ghanaian agencies, which has generated an extra £100m each year. Personnel from other African countries have come to Ghana to study from the project.

Other visited locations featured a life sciences company producing snake venom anti-serum and a medical center supported by the health organization to fight HIV/AIDS, tropical illness, and tuberculosis.

However, although contagious illnesses persist, the main health challenges in Ghana and across Africa are now NCDs like diabetes and hypertension. A local health official noted that NCDs have surpassed traditional health threats and that aid withdrawal will add to the strain on government budgets.

Outside the school, the education minister voiced similar worries, decrying the aid cuts but thanking the collaboration with the UK. In response about the coming funding situation, he said, “We will manage.”

The British official afterward proceeded to additional meetings and a evening meal before heading to a high-end hotel in central Accra.