Ghana’s Cabinet has approved the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, known as the Mahama Cares Fund, for submission to Parliament. President John Dramani Mahama announced the decision on Friday, calling it a major step in fulfilling his administration’s commitment to provide financial assistance to Ghanaians suffering from chronic, non-communicable diseases.
The Fund, a central part of the President’s campaign pledge, is designed to reduce the cost burden for individuals and families dealing with long-term medical conditions. Speaking at the Flagstaff House during a cheque presentation ceremony, President Mahama said the bill’s approval would allow the government to begin formal arrangements for the fund’s implementation, including the appointment of independent trustees to oversee its operations.
The announcement coincided with a donation of GH¢1,002,000 from 11 agencies under the Ministry for the Interior, presented by Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno. The Ghana Police Service led the contributions with GH¢580,000, followed by the Ghana Immigration Service with GH¢100,000. Other donors included the Ghana National Fire Service (GH¢50,000), National Disaster Management Organization (GH¢50,000), Ghana Prisons Service (GH¢50,000), National Identification Authority (GH¢50,000), Gaming Commission (GH¢50,000), Narcotics Control Commission (GH¢10,000), Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (GH¢10,000), National Peace Council (GH¢5,000), and the Ghana Refugees Board (GH¢5,000).
In addition to institutional support, individual contributions were made by Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior and National Security, who donated GH¢50,000, and Deputy Minister Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, who contributed GH¢30,000.
President Mahama who expressed appreciation for the support, added that funding will be sourced from the uncapped portion of the National Health Insurance Levy, following the removal of a previous cap that redirected part of the levy to the consolidated fund. With the cap lifted, the full allocation now flows to the National Health Insurance Authority, a portion of which will be dedicated to the Mahama Cares Fund.
He also noted that the Fund will draw from additional sources, including direct budget allocations, private sector donations, and development partner grants, ensuring a diverse and sustainable financial base. The President added that proceeds from a recent public launch event had already generated significant pledges, including his personal commitment of six months’ salary. He confirmed that his own cheque would be presented shortly.
President Mahama has directed the Office of the Chief of Staff and the Special Advisor on Governmental Affairs to begin collecting one-month salary pledges from all ministers, presidential appointees, and senior officials. These contributions will be formally handed over to the Minister of Health while the bill moves through Parliament.
Reinforcing the fund’s national relevance, the President stated that anyone could become a beneficiary, given the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, which are increasingly linked to shifts in lifestyle and diet. In addition to direct financial support, part of the fund will be allocated toward nationwide public education campaigns focused on disease prevention and health awareness.
“It is always said that prevention is better than cure,” the President concluded, highlighting the dual goal of the Mahama Cares Fund, to provide both immediate relief and long-term education on how to reduce the impact of chronic diseases in Ghana.
Health financing in Ghana remains a persistent challenge. According to health policy experts, the cost of treating just one chronic illness over a year can exceed GH¢ 5,000 to GH¢10,000 per patient, depending on the condition. For diseases like cancer, the cost can soar to tens of thousands of cedis, placing it out of reach for many. Despite the efforts of NHIS, out-of-pocket spending remains high, and Ghana’s healthcare system continues to face shortfalls in infrastructure, diagnostics, and treatment access.
This is where the Mahama Cares Fund hopes to make a difference. However, even as the initiative gains momentum, concerns about its long-term sustainability are already emerging. Public health analysts caution that without a reliable and recurring funding model, the Fund could struggle to deliver on its promises beyond its first few years.
