By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has strongly opposed the government’s proposal to allocate 20% of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly announced Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly dubbed the “Mahama Cares” programme.
At a press briefing in Parliament, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, described the move as “a dangerous redirection of critical health funds that could undermine the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).”
According to Dr. Afriyie, the NHIS already struggles with timely reimbursements and operational demands. He warned that slicing off one-fifth of its funding could paralyse its core functions including access to essential medicines and payment of claims to service providers.
“While we welcome any initiative that seeks to improve healthcare, it must not come at the expense of an existing system that serves millions of Ghanaians,” he said. “If government believes in the Mahama Cares idea, it must establish a separate, transparent funding mechanism not cannibalise NHIS resources.”
The Minority also took issue with the branding of the new programme. Referring to the “Mahama Cares” label, members cautioned that politicising health interventions could weaken public trust and discourage bipartisan cooperation on vital health matters.
“Healthcare must be a unifying cause, not a political tool. If we start naming national health programmes after political leaders, we risk sowing division where unity is needed most,” Hon. Dr. Afriyie added.
So far, government officials have defended the proposal, saying the fund aims to bridge health equity gaps and provide targeted support for vulnerable populations. However, details on how the 20% allocation will be monitored and utilised remain unclear.
The Minority has hinted at taking further steps, including formal petitions and parliamentary motions, if the policy is not reviewed.
