Ghana’s President HE John Dramani Mahama has commended First Sky Group for what he described as a strong commitment to philanthropy, urging corporate Ghana to anchor business success in faith, compassion, and responsibility to the less privileged.
Speaking at the First Sky Group end of year Thanksgiving Service, the President linked corporate giving, public health, and national well being, arguing that economic success must translate into tangible social impact.
President Mahama said faith remains a powerful moral compass for leadership and enterprise, reminding his audience that prosperity carries an obligation to support those facing hardship.
Drawing from biblical teachings, he noted that compassion for the hungry, the sick, and the marginalized lies at the heart of Christian values and should guide how individuals and institutions deploy their resources.
“Our success must be anchored in our faith,” he said, stressing that faith demands action in the form of care for the underprivileged. He praised First Sky for living out this principle through support for health related causes, particularly in areas where the cost of treatment places unbearable pressure on families.
Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases
The President used the occasion to highlight Ghana’s growing burden of non communicable diseases, describing it as one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the country today.
He explained that unlike infectious diseases, non communicable conditions such as hypertension, kidney failure, stroke, and certain cancers are largely driven by lifestyle and genetic factors, making prevention and early detection critical.
President Mahama observed that changing lifestyles have contributed significantly to the rise in these conditions. He noted that while previous generations engaged in intense physical activity through farming and manual labor, modern life has become increasingly sedentary.
Many people now rely heavily on cars for mobility and engage in less physical exercise, yet maintain diets designed for far more active lifestyles. “If you continue eating the same heavy meals without the physical activity that went with them, the risk of developing these diseases increases,” he cautioned.
He emphasized that personal responsibility, including healthier diets and regular exercise, must complement government interventions. A major concern raised by the President was the low level of routine medical screening among the population.
He identified hypertension as a leading cause of kidney failure, pointing out that many people live with high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Over time, he said, untreated hypertension can silently damage vital organs.
Free Primary Healthcare Rollout
To address this gap, President Mahama announced that government will this year roll out a strengthened primary health care system focused on prevention and early detection. Under the initiative, trained community health coordinators will visit homes to conduct basic checks such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests.
This, he explained, will allow health risks to be identified early and managed before they escalate into life threatening conditions. He said individuals found to have elevated readings will be referred to community pharmacies, where affordable generic medicines will be made available.
According to him, reducing the cost of essential drugs is a key part of ensuring that preventive care reaches ordinary Ghanaians, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Our goal is to promote the well being of people and planet,” President Mahama stated, adding that prevention is not only cheaper but far more humane than waiting to treat advanced disease.
Mahama Cares, a Major Pillar
The President also highlighted the Mahama Care initiative as a major pillar of government support for people living with non communicable diseases. He disclosed that the Minister of Finance has allocated 2.1 billion cedis to the programme this year, with funds dedicated to supporting patients suffering from conditions such as stroke, kidney disease, and various cancers.
President Mahama described these illnesses as financially devastating, noting that treatment costs often drain family savings regardless of income level. He said it is not uncommon for households to fall into poverty while attempting to save the life of a loved one, underscoring why state intervention is essential.
“Government alone cannot do it,” he said, emphasizing that public resources must be complemented by private sector and philanthropic support. It was in this context that he praised First Sky for sponsoring kidney transplants, dialysis, and other life saving treatments.
He urged other companies to emulate what he described as First Sky’s example of corporate citizenship, arguing that private sector involvement can significantly expand access to care for vulnerable patients.
According to him, partnerships between government, business, and faith based values offer the most sustainable path to addressing Ghana’s health challenges.
President Mahama concluded by reiterating his belief that every individual and institution must be grounded in a moral foundation, stressing that faith should guide decisions both in public office and private enterprise.
He thanked First Sky for combining commercial success with social responsibility and expressed hope that their approach would inspire a broader culture of giving.
As Ghana confronts rising non communicable diseases, the President’s message placed prevention, compassion, and shared responsibility at the center of the national response, framing health not only as a policy issue but as a collective moral duty.
