President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday launched a new national health initiative, appealing to private sector players to contribute to a newly established trust fund aimed at easing the financial burden of chronic diseases on citizens.
The initiative, dubbed the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—also branded Mahama Cares—was unveiled at the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Accra. The program seeks to provide financial assistance to Ghanaians battling high-cost conditions such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart disease.
Speaking at the launch, President Mahama called on Ghana’s corporate sector—especially banks, mining companies, and other major employers—to channel part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) allocations toward the fund.
“This fund is for your clients and staff,” Mahama said. “These are the people who save with your banks, who shop at your stores, who make up your workforce. If you support this initiative, you’re supporting your own.”
Mahama framed the appeal as both a moral and strategic responsibility for businesses that benefit from the public’s economic activity. “I urge all corporations, private and public, to earmark a portion of their annual CSR budget for this fund. It will deliver measurable impact in communities across Ghana.”
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who also addressed attendees, emphasized the fund’s role in addressing inequities in healthcare access. He confirmed that a draft bill formalizing the governance and oversight of Mahama Cares will be presented to Parliament in its next session.
The Minister also revealed that the government has lifted a cap on the National Health Insurance Scheme, a move he said will release additional resources to reinforce the trust fund. “This uncapping allows for a more sustainable financing model to support chronic disease care,” Akandoh stated.
The launch of Mahama Cares signals a renewed push by the administration to confront rising healthcare costs and improve coverage for non-communicable diseases—an increasingly urgent challenge for Ghana’s public health system.
Source:TheDotNews