Kingsley Agyemang has raised concerns about the government’s proposed Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly called “Mahama-Cares,” questioning whether the initiative can effectively address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President John Dramani Mahama, the Abuakwa South MP said the government’s approach to tackling NCDs does not match the scale of the problem highlighted by the president himself.
According to Agyemang, the president acknowledged in his address that one out of every two deaths in Ghana is caused by non-communicable diseases, describing the situation as a serious public health challenge. However, he argued that the response outlined in the address—primarily the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—may not be sufficient.
“If you are confronted with a situation where one out of every two deaths in this country is from NCDs, then you have a huge problem,” Agyemang told Parliament.
Concerns Over Funding Structure
The MP criticized the proposed financing structure of the Mahama-Cares initiative, claiming that a significant portion of the funding would be drawn from already existing health funds, including contributions linked to the National Health Insurance system.
He argued that reallocating funds from existing sources could strain the current healthcare financing system rather than strengthen it.
Agyemang questioned the sustainability of the policy, asking how the government intends to solve a major public health crisis by relying heavily on resources from a fund that is already under pressure.
Criticism of Government Policy Progress
The lawmaker also used the debate to question the pace of implementation of the government’s flagship policies. Referring to a metaphor used in the president’s speech that “the nation is on the runway and in take-off mode,” Agyemang said the comment suggested slow progress in delivering key promises.
He argued that major policies highlighted in the governing party’s manifesto—such as the “Big Push” infrastructure initiative and the 24-hour economy policy—have yet to produce the expected results.
According to him, after more than a year in office, the administration appears to still be “taxiing on the runway” rather than delivering tangible outcomes.
Call for Stronger Health Interventions
While acknowledging the importance of expanding access to healthcare, Agyemang insisted that addressing NCDs requires broader systemic interventions, including stronger preventive healthcare policies, improved medical infrastructure, and sustainable funding models.
He warned that without a comprehensive strategy, Ghana could struggle to reduce deaths linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, which are major components of the country’s NCD burden.
The parliamentary debate on the 2026 SONA is expected to continue in the coming days as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle assess the government’s policy direction and economic plans.