The administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has outlined the mandate and operational focus of the fund as the government moves to strengthen support for persons living with chronic non-communicable diseases across the country.
Speaking at the government accountability series on May 11, 2026, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku said the mandate of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is to mobilize resources to finance and support specialized medical care for people battling chronic non-communicable diseases.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, was launched in April 2025 as a national initiative to provide financial assistance for Ghanaians suffering from chronic illnesses.
According to her, the Trust Fund operates around four strategic pillars aimed at improving access to healthcare and strengthening Ghana’s medical system.
She explained that the first pillar focuses on providing direct financial support to eligible patients living with chronic non-communicable diseases, including cancers, kidney diseases, cardiovascular conditions, strokes, and other complex medical conditions.
The second pillar, she noted, centers on investment in medical equipment and healthcare infrastructure. She said the Trust Fund supports the provision of modern diagnostic and treatment equipment while also upgrading healthcare facilities to improve nationwide access to specialist care.
Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku further stated that the third pillar focuses on specialist workforce development through the training of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals to strengthen Ghana’s specialized healthcare workforce.
She added that the fourth pillar of the Trust Fund supports medical research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases to drive innovation and evidence-based policy decisions.
Addressing concerns about the relationship between the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the National Health Insurance Authority, she clarified that the Trust Fund complements rather than duplicates the work of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
She explained that Ghana’s healthcare financing system operates like a three-tier pyramid, with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund serving as an additional support mechanism for specialized care needs not fully covered under existing healthcare financing structures.
