The Ga Mantse, King Nii Teiko Tsuru II, has advocated for a healthcare system in Ghana where individuals are not denied quality medical care due to financial constraints. He made this appeal during a meeting with stakeholders in the Greater Accra Region, as part of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund's (GMTF) nationwide sensitisation tour. The Ga Mantse emphasised that no Ghanaian should be left to struggle with illness due to the high cost of specialised medical care.
The establishment of the GMTF has been hailed as a significant intervention, particularly for families struggling to meet the rising cost of specialised healthcare. The Ga Mantse urged stakeholders to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the Fund to ensure that vulnerable Ghanaians are not excluded from quality healthcare due to financial circumstances. He also suggested that the GMTF explore opportunities to strengthen maternal healthcare.
The Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, led the delegation to engage stakeholders in the Greater Accra Region. She stated that it was essential for the GMTF's message to reach every Ghanaian who had not yet heard about its work. The perception of Greater Accra as a region of opportunities should not mask the harsh realities confronting families caring for relatives living with non-communicable diseases.
The GMTF was established to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery through interventions in medical equipment, financial support, infrastructure, and other areas of specialised healthcare. Ms Darko-Opoku appealed to individuals, businesses, and corporate organisations in the region to support the Fund so it could extend its reach and help save more lives. The Fund's nationwide sensitisation campaign aims to take its mandate, programmes, and interventions closer to communities and key stakeholders.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Robert Amesiya, called on Ghanaians to "jealously guard" the GMTF, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the health system and improve access to critical healthcare services. He emphasised that collective support was essential to ensuring that the Fund achieved its mandate, particularly for people who might otherwise be unable to afford specialised treatment.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, commended President John Dramani Mahama for establishing the GMTF and welcomed the Fund's decision to embark on a nationwide sensitisation campaign. She stressed that greater public awareness was critical to ensuring that the Fund's interventions reached their intended beneficiaries. She also called for stronger collaboration between the GMTF and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prevent duplication of interventions and maximise the impact of resources.
The engagement in the Greater Accra Region was part of the GMTF's nationwide regional sensitisation tour, which seeks to bring the Fund closer to communities, healthcare professionals, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders while mobilising broader support for its mandate. The Regional Minister assured the Fund of the support of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council in strengthening collaboration across the region.
Key points
- The Ga Mantse calls for equal access to healthcare, regardless of financial status.
- The GMTF aims to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery through various interventions.
- The Fund's nationwide sensitisation campaign seeks to mobilise support and promote awareness of its mandate.
