Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang Donates Four Months’ Salary to Ghana Medical Trust Fund

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has donated four months’ worth of her salary to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Cares Fund, in a move that underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening social protection and healthcare financing in the country.

President John Dramani Mahama disclosed the donation during his national address marking the first 120 days of his second term in office. The President described the gesture by his Vice-President as “inspiring,” adding that it reflects the administration’s resolve to lead by example in addressing the country’s pressing healthcare needs.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is a flagship policy initiative by the Mahama administration aimed at supporting Ghanaians battling chronic diseases that are not fully covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). According to President Mahama, the fund is designed to serve as a lifeline for those who are often left out of the formal healthcare safety net.

“The Mahama Cares Fund is a bold national policy that provides direct financial support to Ghanaians suffering from chronic diseases. It will ensure that those battling long-term, debilitating conditions are not left to their fate,” the President stated.

He also revealed that he had personally donated six months of his salary toward the Fund at its official launch on April 29, 2025, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre.

“Vice President Naana Jane also pledged four months of her salary to the Mahama Cares Fund,” he announced, adding that this act of leadership by example is expected to inspire broader national support.

As part of efforts to secure sustainable funding, President Mahama has directed all government appointees to contribute at least the equivalent of one month’s salary to the fund. He also urged the general public to support the initiative, stating:

“I encourage every Ghanaian to contribute as you are willing and able. The short code for donations across all mobile networks is *255#.”

He assured the public that the disbursement of the Fund’s support to eligible individuals will begin soon, once the governing board has been constituted. To further institutionalize the Fund, the President revealed that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill has been finalized and is set to be presented to Cabinet for approval before it is forwarded to Parliament.

“We are united in this mission to touch lives and bring health, healing, hope, and joy,” President Mahama emphasized.

Support for Vulnerable Groups

In addition to healthcare initiatives, President Mahama highlighted two other major social intervention programs currently being rolled out: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities and the Free Sanitary Pads Distribution Programme for school girls.

He noted that the Free Tertiary Education program for persons with disabilities has already been captured in the 2025 Budget Statement. The Minister for Education, he said, has made relevant data available to the GETFund, allowing for timely preparation to cover tuition and related costs for beneficiaries in the 2025/2026 academic year.

On the sanitary pad initiative, the President reiterated his administration’s goal to remove barriers to education caused by poor menstrual hygiene management.

“We allocated GH¢292.4 million in the 2025 Budget to ensure every girl in primary and secondary school receives free sanitary pads,” he disclosed.

Procurement processes are currently underway for over six million pads. Each student at the basic level will receive three packets per term, while those in secondary school will receive four packets per semester. Distribution will be conducted through the Ghana Education Service in all 261 districts, ensuring equitable access.

“We are not just distributing pads—we are also providing health education to empower our girls and break the stigma around menstruation,” he added. These social interventions, according to the President, reflect the administration’s broader social contract with Ghanaians and the goal of building an inclusive, compassionate, and resilient society.