News
Health minister launches Ghana Medical Cares Trust Fund Taskforce
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially inaugurated the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Taskforce to oversee the successful implementation of the initiative.
MahamaCares, an initiative of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, aims to provide dedicated financial support to individuals suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses.
The initiative is designed to ensure fairness in healthcare access, particularly for those facing financial barriers to treatment.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Akandoh highlighted that while the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has improved medical coverage, it does not completely ease the financial burden of treating chronic diseases.
He stated, “The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is a bold response to this challenge. It’s purpose is clear: no Ghanaian should choose between their health and financial ruin.”
He noted that the taskforce has been tasked with developing a strong policy and legal framework to establish MahamaCares as a statutory entity.
In addition, the team will be responsible for designing a sustainable funding model to ensure the long-term viability of the fund, setting clear eligibility and disbursement criteria to guarantee fairness, and evaluating Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure to recommend improvements for better accessibility.
Rev. Prof. Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, Chairman of the nine-member taskforce, expressed his immerse gratitude to the President and the Minister for the opportunity to serve.
He assured that the taskforce would work diligently to ensure the success of the MahamaCares initiative and deliver on its mandate effectively.
Other members of the taskforce include; Prof. Emeritus Binka – former Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Margaret Kweku – Public Health Consultant, Dr Alfred Doku – Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Radolph Nsor-Ambala – financial expert, Dr Anthony Gingong – representative of the National Health Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Anthony Seddoh – Health Policy and financing expert, Anna Pearl Akiwumi Siriboe – lawyer and the Attorney General’s representative for the committee and Dr Belinda Afriyie – Public Health Consultant Secretary for the Taskforce.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for stronger regional cooperation to ensure fair remuneration for creatives and the return of African cultural properties to their countries of origin.
Speaking at a technical meeting in Accra, Madam Gomashie stressed the need to protect the intellectual property rights of creative professionals, establish effective systems for private copying remuneration, and preserve Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The meeting, which brought together ECOWAS, WIPO and other key stakeholders, is expected to produce practical action plans to safeguard the livelihoods of creators and advance efforts to recover Africa’s cultural artefacts held abroad.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Kpong Fire Station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has intensified its road safety awareness campaign along the Tema–Akosombo Highway to promote responsible driving and reduce accidents.
Led by ADO II Okortor, the three-day campaign ran from Tuesday, October 27 to Thursday, October 29, 2026, with officers engaging motorists directly at strategic points along the busy highway.
Drivers were sensitised on critical safety practices including speed management, seatbelt use, maintaining safe following distances, avoiding mobile phone distractions while driving, and exercising patience and courtesy on the road.
According to the Service, the exercise received positive feedback from motorists who welcomed the education and appreciated the proactive engagement.
The GNFS says it remains committed to sustained public education and collaboration with road users to prevent road crashes and protect lives and property.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
