By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, July 22, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticised the government’s plans to take 20 per cent of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), to finance the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as “Mahama Cares”.
The Minority was of the conviction that taking 20 per cent of the NHIF would impoverish the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and eventually lead to its collapse.
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the NPP Member of Parliament for Effiduase and Asokore, who is a Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, raised the concern during a debate on the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025.
He urged the government to explore innovative and alternative sources of funding towards financing the Medical Trust Fund “because taking monies from the NHIF implies that the Medical Trust Fund is competing with the NHIS and this is not sustainable”.
Professor Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan, and Deputy Minister of Health designate, disagreed with the Minority Caucus’ stance and insisted that the Medical Trust Fund legislation, was critical because it aligned with the government’s plans to provide healthcare for sufferers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic diseases including cancer, kidney failure and diabetes.
It was also in harmony with the United Nations Universal Health Coverage, adding that the legislation would also allow public-spirited organisations and individuals to voluntarily contribute to the Trust Fund.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah noted that over 40 per cent of the country’s mortality rate was due to chronic diseases and that required urgent steps to address it.
The bill is being considered under a certificate of urgency, implying it will not go through the mandatory 14 days of gazetting before passage.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo