President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to donate his six-month salary to the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund known as “Mahama Cares.”
The fund is designed to provide financial support to Ghanaians suffering from chronic diseases such as kidney failure, cancer and heart-related illnesses, and continues to put a heavy burden on both patients and the national health system.
Yesterday, he launched a fund in Accra, and the president urged business associations to support the initiative.
“This program should not be seen as a government effort, as the people this fund supports are not just citizens, but also your clients, clients and even your own staff,” he said.
This also urged banks, mining companies and other companies to provide some of the corporate social responsibility funds to support the initiative.
“We would like to encourage Ghana, businesses, mines, banks and all other companies. This Ghana Medical Trust Fund would like to encourage you to save money at your bank or come to clients who do business with you.
The president emphasized that contributing to the fund should be viewed as an investment in the well-being of the same people who maintain these businesses.
He said the fund was expected to fill a major gap in the healthcare system in countries where advanced treatments with such conditions were often inaccessible to many people due to the high cost.
President Mahama said the initiative reflects a commitment to a more comprehensive health care system where Ghanaians are not left behind due to financial constraints.
Health Minister Kwabena Minta Akando said the initiative is timely and aims to promote equity in access to health care, especially for individuals struggling with treatment costs.
He made it clear that a draft bill will be presented to Congress detailing the fund’s management framework.
“The Mahama Care draft bill is ready and will soon be presented with a Congressional resume,” he said.
“Most importantly, the removal of National Health Insurance Company deadline control has resulted in the move to unlock substantial resources to ensure that dedicated allocation of funds supports the Mahama Care Program,” he added.
