Accra: Senior officers from all 11 agencies under the Ministry for the Interior have collectively contributed GHS1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust (Mahama Cares) Fund. Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector-General of Police, presented the cheque to President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Mahama Cares Fund was established to alleviate the financial burdens faced by individuals suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, fulfilling a campaign promise made by President Mahama. The contributing agencies include the Ghana Police Service with GHS580,000, Ghana Immigration Service contributing GHS100,000, and several other agencies providing amounts ranging from GHS5,000 to GHS50,000.
In addition, individual contributions came from Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister for the Interior/National Security, with a donation of GHS50,000, and Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior, who contributed GHS30,000. President Mahama expressed gratitude to the security agencies and other contributors under the Ministry for the Interior, stating that the donation would significantly aid the Government in operationalizing the fund.
President Mahama also announced that the Cabinet had approved the Mahama Cares Fund Bill, which is set to be forwarded to Parliament. Once the bill is passed into law, the Government will appoint independent and distinguished trustees to oversee the administration of the fund.
Mr. Yohuno highlighted that the donation resulted from voluntary contributions from senior officers across all Ministry for the Interior agencies, emphasizing the critical need for healthcare services for Ghanaians who lack adequate support. Alhaji Muntaka reiterated that the contributions were made voluntarily by individuals eager to support the fund.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, thanked the senior officers and agencies for their donations, noting that the Mahama Cares Fund represents a novel approach to addressing non-communicable diseases in Ghana and is a groundbreaking initiative on the African continent.