Abuakwa South MP Questions Effectiveness of Mahama-Cares Fund in Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases
The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has raised concerns over the government’s proposed Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly called Mahama-Cares, questioning whether it can adequately address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
Speaking during parliamentary debate on President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, Dr. Agyemang argued that the government’s proposed initiative falls short of matching the scale of the problem outlined by the president.
In his address, President Mahama highlighted that one in every two deaths in Ghana is linked to NCDs, describing it as a major public health challenge. Dr. Agyemang, however, questioned whether the Mahama-Cares fund would be sufficient to tackle such a crisis.
“If one out of every two deaths in this country is caused by NCDs, then we are dealing with a very serious problem,” Dr. Agyemang told Parliament.
The MP also expressed concerns over the fund’s financing structure, noting that much of the proposed resources would come from existing health financing mechanisms, including contributions tied to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
“Redirecting funds from existing sources could place additional pressure on Ghana’s healthcare system instead of strengthening it,” he warned.
Dr. Agyemang further questioned the sustainability of using resources from an already strained system to tackle a major health crisis. He also scrutinized the pace of implementation of key government policies, referring to the president’s remark that the nation is “on the runway and in take-off mode.”
“Flagship policies such as the ‘Big Push’ infrastructure programme and the proposed 24-hour economy are yet to produce significant results. More than a year into the administration, the government still appears to be preparing for take-off rather than delivering concrete outcomes,” he said.
He stressed that tackling NCDs requires broader, sustainable interventions, including stronger preventive healthcare measures, upgraded medical infrastructure, and reliable funding systems.
“Without a comprehensive strategy, Ghana may continue to struggle to reduce deaths linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer,” Dr. Agyemang warned.
Debate on the 2026 State of the Nation Address is set to continue as lawmakers review the government’s policy direction and economic plans.