The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund also known as Mahama Cares, Adwoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has appealed to the National House of Chiefs to partner with the Trust Fund to promote public education and increase awareness of the government’s flagship health initiative
Speaking during a meeting with the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, Miss Darko-Opoku said traditional leaders have a critical role to play in ensuring that communities, particularly those in rural areas, understand the objectives of the fund and how eligible beneficiaries can access its services.
She noted that many Ghanaians living with chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) remain unaware of the support available under the initiative, while others are uncertain about the eligibility requirements.
According to her, the Trust Fund plans to embark on nationwide public education campaigns, including community durbars, town hall meetings and local radio discussions, with the active involvement of chiefs to enhance public confidence and participation.
“Traditional leaders remain among the most trusted authorities within our communities.
When chiefs speak, the communities listen, and when they champion an important national initiative, people embrace it with trust and confidence,” she said.
Miss Darko-Opoku described healthcare as a critical investment in national development, warning that the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, cancer, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and sickle cell disease continues to place enormous financial pressure on families across the country.
She explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is built on four key pillars: providing direct financial support to patients, investing in critical medical equipment and healthcare infrastructure, strengthening the capacity of health professionals through specialised training, and supporting medical research.
Providing an update on the implementation of the initiative, the Administrator said significant progress has been made since the passage of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act.
She disclosed that a secretariat has been established, a governing board inaugurated, and staff recruited to operationalise the fund.
She added that nationwide assessments of health facilities have already been conducted to identify infrastructure gaps, while a digital claims processing platform has been introduced to improve transparency and efficiency.
Pilot beneficiary cases have also been successfully implemented.
Miss Darko-Opoku further announced that the Trust Fund is supporting the establishment of three modern cardiac centres at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital to improve access to specialised cardiovascular care.
She urged the National House of Chiefs to help mobilise communities and ensure that no eligible Ghanaian is denied quality healthcare because of financial constraints.
Responding on behalf of the traditional leaders, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, pledged the support of chiefs across the country in promoting the initiative.
He called on Presidents of the Regional Houses of Chiefs to lead awareness campaigns within their jurisdictions but noted that the absence of finalized operational guidelines for the Trust Fund could hinder effective public education.
According to Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, the completion of the operational framework will enable traditional authorities to provide accurate information and better support the successful implementation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
