"Mahama Cares? Maybe This Time, We Won’t Have to Beg to Get Treated."
A few months ago, I was at the Korle Bu emergency ward with my aunt who had suddenly collapsed. We rushed her there in panic. And what met us wasn’t hope—it was a long bench, a queue that didn’t seem to move, and a tired nurse who kept repeating, “No bed. No doctor. No payment, no attention.”
That’s when it hit me: being sick in Ghana doesn’t just hurt your body—it breaks your spirit.
So, when I heard Parliament had just passed the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, with Mahama’s signature all over it, I blinked twice. Thought maybe I misread the headline during my usual late-night doom scroll. But no, it was real. The “Mahama Cares” tagline actually has something tangible attached to it now.
And I’m not even a card-carrying anything. I just want people to stop dying because they couldn’t pay GH₵200 upfront.
From what I gather, this new Medical Trust Fund isn’t just another box-ticking health policy. It’s supposed to be a whole national kitty dedicated to providing timely healthcare to the vulnerable—especially those who can’t afford emergency care or basic treatment. The kind of people who currently get turned away because their Mobile Money wallet is dry.
Now, whether it works or not? Honestly, that depends on how seriously the government treats it after all the claps and selfies. Ghana’s had enough “promising ideas” that ended up gathering dust (Free Wi-Fi in schools, anyone?).
But here’s what makes this different—at least, I hope it is.
Mahama, whether you love him or loathe him, seems to be returning with something to prove. And this Fund? It could become a lifeline for millions who’ve been dancing between prayer camps and overcrowded clinics, hoping for a miracle that never comes.
I’ve noticed something though—there’s a growing shift. More Ghanaians are asking questions, not just cheering. People want follow-ups, not just headlines. And that gives me some cautious optimism. Maybe this time, we’ll demand transparency and track how the funds are actually used.
(Also, side note: can we please make sure it doesn’t turn into another “create and loot” scheme? Just saying.)
In my opinion, this bill is one of those rare chances we get to move the needle. Not dramatically. Not overnight. But even if one more mother doesn’t lose her child because she couldn’t afford antibiotics, it’ll be worth it.
I mean… isn’t that what caring actually looks like?
But then again, this is Ghana. And we’ve had our hopes played with before. So the real question isn’t if the fund exists. It’s this:
Will it work for the people who need it most—or just become another promise that looked good on paper?
Let’s see.