On the Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s (GMTF) first anniversary, Administrator Obuobia Darko‑Opoku publicly thanked Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh for his guidance, candour and commitment to the Fund’s early operations.
How the Fund Grew in Its First Year
Darko‑Opoku said the Fund’s progress stemmed from extensive consultations, long meetings and difficult decisions. She highlighted the minister’s role in shaping key choices and navigating challenges, noting that many decisions required “long meeting hours, the back‑and‑forth, the dawn phone calls, the tough questions and most importantly, the very difficult decisions we have sometimes had to sit down and make.”
Minister’s Collaborative Approach
She praised Mintah Akandoh for working through tough decisions together rather than seeking quick answers, adding, “Instead of simply asking, ‘Is this the best decision?’, you sit with me and work through it until we are both confident that it is the best decision, not just for today, but a decision we can both look back on and know that we got right.”
Future Plans for GMTF
Darko‑Opoku stressed that the first year’s completion does not signal a slowdown. “One year down… and knowing us, we are definitely not about to start relaxing now! In fact, we are just about starting,” she said, affirming the Fund’s commitment to tackle more difficult decisions and support Ghana’s healthcare system.
She concluded by offering prayers for the minister’s continued strength and wisdom, and publicly “giving him his flowers VERY LOUDLY!” for his contributions.
