The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, Obuobia Darko Opoku, has appealed to the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra for his royal support to help expand access to healthcare for vulnerable patients across the country.
Madam Obuobia presented the objectives of the Fund and sought the traditional authority’s partnership to reach more Ghanaians who are struggling with the cost of treatment for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Madam Obuobia, who led a delegation from the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, explained that the initiative was established under the MahamaCares program to ensure that no Ghanaian is forced to forgo treatment because of financial hardship.
She noted that many patients, particularly those battling cancer, kidney failure, stroke, and heart disease, often abandon care due to the high cost of medication, dialysis, and specialized therapy.
According to her, the Fund was designed to provide financial assistance to eligible patients, support healthcare infrastructure, fund specialized training for medical personnel, and promote research aimed at improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
“Your Royal Majesty, we are here to seek your blessing and support, traditional leaders remain a trusted link between government institutions and the people. With your voice, we can reach more homes in Ga Mashie and beyond, and ensure that those who qualify for assistance actually get it.”
Madam Obuobia Darko Opoku
She further stated that the Fund would not only focus on paying medical bills but also on strengthening the overall health system. This includes supporting hospitals with equipment, sponsoring training for health workers, and investing in research to make healthcare more efficient and sustainable.
During the visit, Obuobia briefed the Ga Mantse on the progress made so far and outlined plans to collaborate with community leaders, health facilities, and civil society organizations to identify and support deserving patients.
She expressed optimism that with the backing of the Ga Traditional Council, the Fund could achieve greater outreach and impact, especially in underserved communities within the Greater Accra Region.
The Administrator also used the opportunity to highlight the importance of preventive healthcare and public education. She said that beyond treatment support, MahamaCares aims to run awareness campaigns on early detection of chronic diseases so that patients can seek help before their conditions become critical.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru ll Endorses Medical Trust Fund Initiative
In his response, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, commended the government for the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and described the initiative as timely and necessary.
He noted that healthcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing many families, and that any effort to ease the financial burden on patients deserves the support of all stakeholders.
The King praised Dr. Obuobia and her team for their commitment to ensuring that vulnerable Ghanaians are not left behind. He said traditional authorities have always played a key role in mobilizing communities for national development, and that the palace was ready to lend its support to MahamaCares. “Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II stated.
“I commend this initiative because it seeks to make sure that no one dies or suffers because they cannot afford treatment. We, as traditional leaders, will help you take this message to our people and direct eligible patients to the Fund.”
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II
The Ga Mantse also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the management of the Fund to ensure that assistance gets to those who truly need it. He called on other traditional leaders across the country to emulate the example and partner with government to improve health outcomes in their jurisdictions.
He further urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the fund once it is fully rolled out, and to avoid self-medication or delaying treatment due to cost. According to him, early intervention saves lives and reduces the overall cost of care.
Dr. Obuobia expressed gratitude to the Ga Mantse for his words of encouragement and pledged that the Fund would work closely with the palace and other stakeholders to ensure its success.
She said the team would return to provide updates on the number of patients supported and how the partnership with traditional authorities is helping to bridge the gap in healthcare access.
The visit to the Ga Mantse’s Palace forms part of a broader stakeholder engagement drive by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund. Officials say similar engagements will be held with other traditional councils, religious leaders, and community groups to ensure nationwide sensitization and inclusion.
The MahamaCares initiative has been positioned as a flagship health intervention aimed at reducing out of pocket expenses for patients with chronic conditions. With the support of traditional leaders like the Ga Mantse, the Fund hopes to reach thousands of Ghanaians who are currently unable to afford critical medical care.
As the fund prepares for full implementation, stakeholders are optimistic that the collaboration between government, traditional authorities, and health institutions will create a more equitable healthcare system where no patient is denied treatment because of their financial situation.
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