The Ga Mantse, King Nii Teiko Tsuru II, has emphasized the need for a healthcare system in Ghana where individuals are not denied quality healthcare due to financial constraints. He made this call 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 stressed that the cost of specialised medical care should not place enormous financial pressure on families.
According to the Ga Mantse, the establishment of the GMTF is a significant intervention, especially for families struggling to meet the rising cost of specialised healthcare. He 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. The Ga Mantse 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 emphasized the importance of reaching every Ghanaian who has not yet heard about the Fund's work, particularly in regions where families face difficulties caring for relatives living with non-communicable diseases. The GMTF aims to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery through interventions in medical equipment, financial support, and infrastructure.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Robert Amesiya, called on Ghanaians to support and protect the GMTF, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the health system and improve access to critical healthcare services. He stressed that collective support is essential to ensuring the Fund achieves its mandate, particularly for people who might otherwise be unable to afford specialised treatment.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. 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 emphasized the need for greater public awareness to ensure that the Fund's interventions reach their intended beneficiaries. She also called for stronger collaboration between the GMTF and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The engagement in the Greater Accra Region is 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 tour aims to educate stakeholders about the Fund's programmes and interventions.
The Ga Mantse's call for equal access to quality healthcare is a significant step towards ensuring that all Ghanaians receive the medical care they need, regardless of their financial situation. The GMTF's efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and provide financial support to vulnerable individuals are crucial in achieving this goal. Key stakeholders will continue to engage with the Fund to ensure its success.
Key points
- The Ga Mantse calls for a healthcare system where poverty does not determine access to life-saving treatment.
- The GMTF aims to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery through interventions in medical equipment, financial support, and infrastructure.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for collective support to ensure the Fund achieves its mandate.
