The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has appealed to businesses and corporate institutions in the Western Region to contribute to the fund to enable it to support more people in need of specialised medical care.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is a national statutory fund established in July 2025 under Act 1144 to mobilise sustainable financing for specialised medical care for people living with chronic non-communicable diseases in Ghana.
As part of efforts to create greater awareness of the fund and the support it provides, the Trust has embarked on a nationwide campaign, with the Western Region serving as the first stop.
Speaking during an engagement in the region, Madam Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku explained that the success of the fund also depends on beneficiaries having a clear understanding of its processes.
“For The trust fund to serve people effectively, Its processes must be understood. A family already facing a frightening diagnosis should not have to struggle through confusion to find out where to seek guidance.
“People need clear information about the conditions covered, eligibility, the processes involved and the appropriate points of contact. For our part, we must be available to listen, willing to clarify, and prepare to improve where concerns reveal weaknesses.”
She said the scale of the fund’s responsibility also requires sustained partnerships with businesses and corporate institutions operating in the Western Region.
“The scale of this responsibility also calls for sustained partnership to the businesses and corporate institutions operating in Western Region. I extend an invitation to work with the trust fund in strengthening healthcare for our people. The opportunities to support patient treatment, equip hospitals, improve infrastructure, develop specialist capacity, and advance research.
“A well directed contribution can have consequences far beyond its financial value.”
A key concern raised during the engagement was the sustainability of the fund and its ability to meet growing demand over time.
Health Policy Advisor to the Fund, Dr Norbert Kipo, explained that although the fund requires additional resources, legislation provides guaranteed sources of government funding.
“When it comes to sustainability, the trust fund, was established by an Act of Parliament that gives it legal status, it has come to stay based on the legal status it draws from the Act of Parliament. Aside that, there is also a sure source of funding because some percentage of the NHIL has been assigned to the trust fund, and as long as the NHIL is collected, we are assured that some funding comes to the trust fund,” he revealed.
He added that the Fund is advocating for a more direct source of funding, while relying on actuarial analysis to guide decisions on expanding its benefits package.
“We are advocating for a more direct source of funding, but even with what we have, guarantees sustainability in that once that levy is continued to be collected, then you have some allocation to the trust fund. We are also guided by evidence from our acturial analysis that we do, and that’s why we are cautious when we are adding on more more conditions and broadening our benefits package. Based on that analysis, we don’t want to take on so many conditions that will sink the fund.”
The support provided by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is already yielding positive results, with some beneficiaries sharing their experiences with the audience.
The engagement was attended by representatives of the Western Regional Coordinating Council, the Western Regional House of Chiefs, health professionals, students and people from various walks of life.
