Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, has called for the protection of two major healthcare interventions in Ghana—the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and Free Primary Healthcare—describing them as lifesaving policies that must not be discontinued by any government.
Speaking during a visit to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Akuapemhene emphasised that both initiatives are key pillars in strengthening the country’s healthcare system and should be safeguarded beyond political transitions.
He urged that they be entrenched in Ghana’s legal framework, ideally within the Constitution, to ensure continuity and stability in healthcare delivery.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to provide financial support for the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases, which account for nearly 45 per cent of deaths in Ghana. It complements the National Health Insurance Scheme by covering high-cost treatments, advanced medical equipment, and specialist care often beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
The Free Primary Healthcare initiative, on the other hand, focuses on delivering essential health services at no cost at the first point of contact. It prioritises prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of common illnesses, with the aim of reducing financial barriers and encouraging early healthcare-seeking behaviour.
“These are interventions that support and stabilise health systems globally,” the Akuapemhene noted, drawing comparisons with established healthcare models in countries such as the United States.
He commended John Dramani Mahama for championing similar initiatives in Ghana and stressed the need for sustained public education and advocacy to protect them.
“I want to convey this message clearly: these interventions must be enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution so that no future government can dismantle them and disrupt our healthcare stability,” he stated.
The Chief’s visit, accompanied by members of his royal household, also included a personal stop to check on Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Administrator of the Fund and a member of his royal family.
He engaged her on her experience and challenges, while offering encouragement and royal blessings.
In response, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as humbling and motivating, and pledged to work diligently to make Okuapeman proud.
She also briefed the Chief on the Fund’s mandate and appealed for continued nationwide support to sustain its operations.
The visit reinforced a broader message that healthcare interventions such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and Free Primary Healthcare are essential lifelines whose continuity is vital to the well-being of all Ghanaians.
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