Former President John Dramani Mahama has donated six months of his salary to the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares.
The initiative is designed to provide financial support to Ghanaians battling chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart conditions.
The fund was officially launched at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in a ceremony attended by government officials, healthcare professionals, and members of the public.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Mahama urged the private sector to join the effort by contributing part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets to the fund.
“I want to encourage corporate Ghana, businesses, the mines, the banks, and all the other companies, that this Ghana Medical Trust Fund is coming to your clients who save their monies in your banks or do business with you. Some of them are even your own staff,” Mahama said.
“So, as part of your CSR, if you give anything, consider that you are giving to your own staff or customers,” he added.
“I would like to encourage all corporations in Ghana, both private and public, to at the end of the year, donate some portion of their annual CSR to Ghana Medical Fund because it is going to do a lot of good to the country.”
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who also spoke at the event, said the fund will prioritize Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 45, the age group that now accounts for over 50% of chronic disease cases in the country.
“Available estimates show that NCDs account for approximately 43% of all-cause mortality in Ghana, with a sharp increase recorded between 2012 and 2023,” the minister stated.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund will support specialist-level treatment and cover costs not already included under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
It will also enhance early screening and diagnosis efforts in both public and private health institutions.
The initiative fulfills a key health financing pledge made by Mr. Mahama during the 2024 presidential election campaign.
