Government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health sector took a decisive step forward as Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced major funding allocations aimed at expanding access to essential healthcare services and addressing the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister revealed that GHS 1.5 billion has been earmarked to roll out Free Primary Healthcare beginning next year, while an additional GHS 2.3 billion has been allocated for the newly operationalised Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely known as Mahama Cares.
According to Hon. Akandoh, the government’s renewed focus on primary healthcare stems from the recognition that it constitutes nearly 80 percent of the population’s health needs.
He stressed that strengthening this foundation is crucial for building a robust health system capable of addressing both routine and emerging health challenges.
“Again, we all know that primary health care accounts to about 80% of our health needs, especially in this country. And so when we have our primary health care right, I think that we’ll have a very strong health sector”.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed that the Free Primary Healthcare policy be rolled out next year as part of the government’s broader vision of ensuring universal access to essential health services.
The initiative will go beyond curative care to include enhanced promotive and preventive services aimed at detecting diseases early, reducing complications, and improving health outcomes across communities.
“In addition to the curative, we’ll be looking at enhanced and promotive health care, we’ll be looking at enhanced preventive health care, and that will give rise to the early detection of the disease, not even get to the complication stage”.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
The Minister emphasised that the new initiative will operate under the existing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), avoiding the need to create new administrative systems.
Hon. Akandoh also highlighted the urgent need to confront the growing prevalence of NCDs in the country, calling attention to troubling statistics that continue to burden families, communities, and the national healthcare system.
“About four out of every death we record in this country is due to non-communicable diseases. About 4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year. One out of every three adults we see in the street is hypertensive. Diabetes is rising.”
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
It is against this background, he said, that President Mahama committed to establishing a sustainable, well-resourced mechanism to support patients requiring advanced or long-term care.
This led to the creation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—popularly branded as Mahama Cares—a programme designed to provide financial support for the treatment of critical non-communicable diseases, including cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions that often strain household incomes.
“I am happy to report that the status of Mahama Cares is that, one, the bill has been passed into an act, the board has been inaugurated, the secretariat is in full operation. Therefore, the sudden disbursement for patient care at the moment”.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He added that the Fund has been allocated GHS 2.3 billion to begin patient support, describing the resources as evidence of the government’s seriousness in delivering on its promises. “So these are no words or no more promises. These policies are seeing figures allocated to them, and it is not ordinary figures,” he noted.
He outlined the simple process through which eligible patients can access support under Mahama Cares, explaining that specialist medical doctors will be required to apply on behalf of patients, with the secretariat mandated to respond within 14 days. He hinted that helplines for the Fund will soon be made public to ensure widespread accessibility.
Hon. Akandoh also took the opportunity to defend the government’s record on health financing, particularly through the NHIS. He described the administration’s approach as unmatched since the scheme’s inception, pointing to prompt releases as a significant achievement.
“In fact, let me put it on record that since the establishment or inception of the National Health Insurance Scheme, no government has been able to pay promptly like we are doing today. No government. No government”.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
The Minister’s announcements signal an ambitious phase in Ghana’s health sector reform, combining expanded access, early intervention strategies, and financial protection for vulnerable patients.
With substantial funding already committed and implementation structures in motion, the government insists it is poised to deliver a strengthened healthcare system that prioritises prevention, affordability, and timely medical care.
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