By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Parliament has passed the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, also known as MahamaCares, into law.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, one of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 campaign promises under the leadership of John Mahama, is expected to become operational in the coming months, pending presidential assent and the appointment of the necessary administrative structures.
According to proponents, the bill, which is expected to improve the country’s healthcare financing system, will establish a dedicated source of funding to support critical medical interventions, emergency care, and the treatment of underprivileged patients who cannot afford quality healthcare.
Under the new law, the fund will be financed through various sources, including a dedicated allocation from the national budget, voluntary contributions from individuals and organisations, and donor support.
The aim is to provide financial relief to Ghanaians who fall through the cracks of the existing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The bill also outlines a governance framework for managing the fund, including the appointment of a Board of Trustees to oversee its operations, ensure transparency, and prevent misapplication of resources.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus initially resisted the laying of the bill before the House but eventually withdrew its opposition to allow the process to proceed.
The bill successfully passed through all the required stages, including the Consideration stage, and was unanimously passed into law today, July 22, 2025.
