Mahama Donates Six-month Salary to Ghana Medical Trust Fund

President John Dramani Mahama has donated his salaries for the next six months as seed money for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund also known as Mahama Cares.

He made the donation during the launch of the medical initiative aimed at supporting treatment for chronic diseases that are not covered under the National Health Insurance (NHI).

The initiative is envisioned to bridge gaps in healthcare financing and reduce the mortality rate that results from chronic diseases in Ghana.

Speaking at the launch on April 29, 2025, President Mahama said the initiative will offer hope to the underprivileged.

“We are launching hope for thousands of Ghanaians living with chronic disease, hope for families battling the overwhelming cost of care, hope for a future where the quality of life is not determined by one’s ability to pay for essential treatment necessary.”

Coverage
He stated that the Trust Fund will support specialist-level treatment for a range of chronic diseases.

They include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke and other complications.

Additionally, he said it will be progressively expanded to cover convalescent care, palliative services and home-based support.

Execution
According to the President, support from the Fund will be based on formal applications carefully vetted and will focus on costs not currently covered under the NHIS.

He noted that the Fund will operate as an independent statutory Trust governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by a dedicated administrative secretariat, third-party administrators and patient navigators to ensure transparency, efficiency and a patient-centred ethic.

“Strategic procurement measures such as access pricing and framework contracting will ensure that essential medicines and diagnoses are quite sustainable,” he added.

Funding
President Mahama noted that approximately three billion cedis will annually be needed for the first three years to run.

The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) main source of funding for this, he said, adding that it will draw funds from direct budgetary support from the government, voluntary contributions from corporate institutions and individuals, grants, donations and investment income.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini