By Josephine Kekeli Amuzu
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to improving sanitation, public health, and access to healthcare in Ghana.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address, on February 27, 2025, Mahama outlined key policies, including enhanced sanitation efforts, free primary healthcare, and the establishment of a Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support the treatment of non-communicable diseases.
Sanitation and Public Health
Mahama stressed the importance of sanitation in preventing disease outbreaks, calling for greater investment, supervision, and performance tracking in the sector.
“Sanitation, within the context of infectious disease outbreaks, pest control, and environmental management, must be a major priority for us. Our cities and towns must be cleaner than they are today,” he stated.
He also addressed the ongoing meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, where 135 suspected cases had been reported as of February 17, 2025. Of these, 22 were confirmed, and 16 people had died across 10 districts. In response, the government has introduced free treatment for affected persons and deployed health experts to encourage early detection and reporting of cases.
Free Primary Healthcare & Ghana Medical Trust Fund
Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to implementing the Free Primary Healthcare Program, a key component of the NDC’s 2020 manifesto. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers to basic healthcare, advancing Ghana’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3.8—universal health coverage.
To further strengthen the health sector, Mahama announced the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCare, which will provide financial support for patients suffering from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, and heart conditions.
“This fund will be dedicated to financing treatment for non-communicable diseases, which have seen a significant rise over the past decade,” Mahama stated.
The government has committed resources to launch the initiative in 2025, with additional funding to be mobilized from private sector partners to ensure sustainability.
Mahama emphasized that the combination of Free Primary Healthcare—focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment, and MahamaCare, which will ease the financial burden of critical care, will transform Ghana’s healthcare system.
“These initiatives will improve healthcare accessibility, enhance productivity, and ensure the well-being of all Ghanaians,” he concluded.
Mahama’s address signals a renewed focus on public health and sanitation as key pillars of national development, setting the stage for major reforms in Ghana’s healthcare system.
