At the opening of the Seventh Development and Social Services Consultation Forum held at the Presbyterian Women’s Centre in Abokobi, the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, voiced strong support for the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares.
Dr Opare Kwakye highlighted the Church’s commitment to policies that remove barriers to healthcare and advance universal access to quality health services. He underscored the potential of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which focuses on preventive care, routine screening and basic treatment at no cost, to transform primary healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities.
He welcomed the operationalisation of Mahama Cares, describing it as a timely intervention that would provide relief to individuals and families struggling with the high cost of treating chronic non‑communicable diseases and other conditions requiring specialised medical care. The Moderator stressed that sustained investment in healthcare financing remains critical to improving health outcomes and protecting the dignity of vulnerable populations.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana operates 61 health facilities across 13 regions, employs more than 4,300 personnel and provides approximately 1,600 hospital beds. Its Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges continue to produce healthcare professionals who serve in public and private institutions nationwide.
On behalf of the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Dr Mavis Sakyi commended the Church for its longstanding contribution to healthcare delivery and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with faith‑based providers. She invited the Church and other faith‑based organisations to explore partnership opportunities in the completion and management of selected Agenda 111 hospital projects, describing such collaboration as essential to expanding access to quality healthcare nationwide.
The forum reaffirmed the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s commitment to holistic ministry through healthcare, social intervention and human development, while strengthening partnerships with the government and development partners to improve the well‑being and dignity of all Ghanaians.
Moving forward, the Church and the Ministry will continue to work together to ensure that initiatives like Mahama Cares reach those most in need and contribute to Ghana’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage.
