Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana’s Minister of Health, lauded the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) for exceeding expectations within its inaugural year of operation. The minister highlighted the fund’s role in removing financial barriers that prevent many Ghanaians from accessing specialised medical care, thereby advancing the country’s Universal Health Coverage goals.
During a ceremony marking the GMTF’s first anniversary, themed “One Year On – An Evening of Reflection,” the minister commended the fund’s management, specialist doctors, medical directors and other healthcare professionals for their dedication. He noted that strategic collaboration between government, healthcare providers and stakeholders had yielded significant progress in tackling pressing health challenges.
Akandoh stressed the importance of honesty, transparency and accountability in all engagements with the GMTF, urging medical practitioners to work closely with the government to ensure interventions translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Ghanaians. He also challenged the fund’s management to intensify public education, making the GMTF’s services more visible and accessible.
In addition to the GMTF, the minister announced that the government is strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as part of a broader strategy to make healthcare more responsive and sustainable. Together, the NHIS and GMTF form a complementary approach to removing barriers to quality healthcare.
Akandoh concluded that the ultimate measure of the GMTF’s success will be its ability to change lives, save lives and guarantee that no Ghanaian is denied specialised healthcare due to financial constraints.
