The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has officially inaugurated the Mahama Cares Technical Task Force, a new initiative aimed at addressing the financial burden of chronic diseases in Ghana including kidney and liver diseases, high blood pressure, and cardiac ailments.

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 45% of all deaths in Ghana, with cardiovascular diseases making up 19% and cancers 5%.

The newly formed Technical Task Force has been assigned the responsibility of developing policies, designing a sustainable funding model and creating a legal framework to establish Mahama Cares as a statutory entity. The team will also evaluate existing healthcare infrastructure and propose improvements to enhance accessibility for all Ghanaians.

The initiative aligns with a promise made by President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to establish a dedicated healthcare fund for chronic disease treatment.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Health, Mintah Akandoh urged task force members to approach their roles with integrity and diligence, emphasizing that their work will not only shape healthcare policies but also save lives and restore hope to families in need.

He also emphasised that the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, known as “Mahama Care” is a bold step toward ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied life-saving treatment due to financial constraints.

“The Mahama Cares initiative is a commitment to ensuring that all Ghanaians, regardless of their financial status, have access to quality healthcare,” the minister stated. “We are taking a critical step in bridging the gaps in healthcare financing and ensuring fairness in treatment access.”

The minister also called on government agencies, private sector organizations, civil society, and the international community to collaborate in mobilizing resources and advocating for sustainable healthcare financing.

The Mahama Cares Technical Task Force will be chaired by Rev. Prof. Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, former Provost of the College of Health Sciences. Other members include:

• Prof. Emeritus Fred Binka – Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences
• Prof. Margaret Kweku – Public Health Consultant
• Dr. Alfred Doku – Consultant Cardiologist
• Dr. Randolph 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 – Legal Practitioner and Attorney General’s Representative
• Dr. Belinda Afriyie – Public Health Consultant and Secretary to the Task Force

The Chairman of the Mahama Cares Technical Task Force, Prof. Emeritus Binka, assured that despite time constraints, the task force will engage all relevant healthcare stakeholders to ensure comprehensive consultations.

The Task Force is expected to complete its work and submit a report by April 15, 2025.