The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has insisted that road contractors will not be compelled to contribute to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, stressing that any support towards the government's flagship healthcare initiative must remain voluntary.

Speaking during President John Dramani Mahama's Citizens' Engagement in the Volta Region, Mr Agbodza appealed to contractors executing government road projects to consider supporting the construction of a proposed cardiac centre in the region.

However, he emphasised that his appeal should not be interpreted as a directive or a condition for securing government contracts.

"I will not threaten any contractor that if you don't contribute to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, I have no power to do anything to you," the Roads Minister stated.

His comments came after he appealed to contractors to voluntarily help finance the proposed cardiac centre, which President Mahama announced would be established in response to appeals from residents of the Volta Region for improved access to specialised cardiovascular healthcare.

Mr Agbodza praised President Mahama's commitment to improving the wellbeing of Ghanaians, describing healthcare as one of the administration's foremost priorities alongside infrastructure development and education.

"Your Excellency, you are passionate about everything in our country—roads, education and everything. But there is something I see in you that you are very passionate about, and that is to see Ghanaians healthy and happy," he said.

He also commended the President's decision to appoint Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to lead the government's healthcare agenda, describing him as a hardworking minister implementing the President's vision.

The Roads Minister noted that the roads sector had received the largest share of the government's capital expenditure since the Mahama administration took office, with significant payments made to contractors undertaking infrastructure projects across the country.

According to him, many contractors have historically extended their support beyond road construction by investing in community development initiatives through corporate social responsibility programmes.

"I know the volume of money we pay to contractors for their work, and many of them do beyond just the building of roads. They undertake corporate social responsibility by constructing schools, clinics, providing water facilities and supporting other community projects," he said.

He therefore appealed to contractors to channel similar support towards the proposed cardiac centre in the Volta Region, which he estimated would cost approximately US$15 million.

"I wish, for the sake of President Mahama, the Health Minister and the people of the Volta Region, that my contractors will step forward and say, 'We will contribute and build it on our own,'" he stated.

Mr Agbodza disclosed that Members of Parliament and government ministers had already pledged portions of their salaries towards the project and announced that he would contribute an additional three months of his own salary.

"It is just US$15 million. Members of Parliament and ministers have committed our salaries to that. Today, Mr President, I will commit three more months of my total salary to that," he said.

While reiterating that no contractor would face sanctions for declining to contribute, the minister also revealed that he intends to obtain records of voluntary donations made to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund as preparations begin for the second phase of the government's Big Push infrastructure programme.

"The Big Push Phase Two is being prepared. I will just tell you quietly that I will be asking the head of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to furnish me with all voluntary contributions, including my own. So when we are sharing the next phase of the Big Push, we shall see how we share it," he remarked.