The National House of Chiefs has pledged its full support for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), committing to champion the initiative nationwide to ensure more Ghanaians living with chronic diseases benefit from financial assistance for specialised healthcare.
The commitment was made during a courtesy call by the Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, on the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, where she sought the support of traditional leaders in advancing the Fund’s mandate.
She described traditional rulers as trusted custodians of their communities whose influence would be vital in raising awareness of the Fund and encouraging eligible patients to access its support.
Ms Darko-Opoku explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established by John Dramani Mahama to reduce the financial burden on patients suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases, including cancer, kidney disease requiring dialysis, heart conditions and stroke.
According to her, the partnership with the National House of Chiefs would also help ease the pressure on traditional leaders, who are frequently called upon to provide financial assistance for expensive medical treatment in their communities.
“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund provides a lasting national solution that complements the generosity of our chiefs. It means they will no longer have to shoulder this burden alone because there is now a national mechanism dedicated to supporting their people,” she said.
She noted that although government had established the Fund, its long-term success would depend on partnerships with institutions that command public trust.
Ms Darko-Opoku appealed to chiefs across the country to educate their communities about the Fund, encourage eligible patients to apply for assistance and help address misinformation surrounding the initiative.
She also highlighted progress made so far, including nationwide health facility needs assessments, the development of a digital application and claims platform, beneficiary support systems and plans to establish cardiac catheterisation laboratories at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, assured the delegation of the House’s unwavering commitment to the success of the Trust Fund.
He pledged that the National House of Chiefs would actively promote the initiative across the country and educate communities about the relief it offers families struggling with the high cost of specialised healthcare.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II also urged Regional and Traditional Houses of Chiefs to organise similar engagements in their respective jurisdictions and serve as ambassadors for the Fund.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, described the endorsement as a major milestone that would boost public confidence in the Fund.
He said the influence of chiefs would encourage more people to embrace the initiative and ensure that financial hardship does not prevent Ghanaians from accessing essential healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Hafez Adam Taher thanked the National House of Chiefs for their support and willingness to serve as advocates for the Fund.
He said the partnership between government and traditional authorities would play a critical role in helping the GMTF achieve its objective of restoring hope, saving lives and ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied treatment due to financial constraints.
The Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, also accompanied the delegation during the visit.
The endorsement is expected to strengthen public awareness of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and reinforce national efforts to improve access to specialised healthcare for patients living with chronic diseases across the country.
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