Kwadaso MP dismisses ‘MahamaCares’ Bill

The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, has strongly criticised the newly approved Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025—popularly known as the ‘MahamaCares’ Programme—labeling it as “needless” and “unnecessary.”

The Bill seeks to create a dedicated fund aimed at supporting the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases, including cancer, kidney failure, stroke, and diabetes. It was passed by Parliament as part of broader efforts to improve access to specialised medical care.

However, Prof Nyarko argues that the legislation is redundant and that its goals could have been achieved by making changes to the existing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) instead of introducing a separate fund.

“For me, I think it is completely needless and unnecessary because we have the National Health Insurance Scheme. This bill seeks to provide medical support to persons who have non-communicable diseases, largely,” he said in an interview with Channel One TV on Tuesday, 22 July.

“But the current Health Insurance Act could be amended to cater for this ailment. Simple. You do not need a sacred intervention to achieve that.”

He also questioned the intent behind the programme, suggesting that it is more focused on creating a political legacy for former President John Dramani Mahama than solving urgent healthcare issues.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is intended to provide financial support for Ghanaians who need expensive medical treatment that is typically unaffordable for most households.

Eligibility requires applicants to be Ghanaian citizens, registered with the NHIS, and diagnosed with a chronic illness by a certified medical professional. Applications must be made through a specialist doctor, and the Fund is expected to respond within 14 days.

Despite its passage into law, the Bill has generated debate in Parliament. On Monday, 21 July, the Minority Caucus raised concerns about the decision to allocate 20 per cent of NHIS revenue to the new Fund. They cautioned that this move could undermine the NHIS’s ability to meet its current obligations.

The Bill’s approval has therefore sparked renewed discussions on healthcare funding priorities and the long-term viability of Ghana’s social protection initiatives.