By Barbara Kumah
Businessman Seidu Agongo has presented a cheque for GHS500,000 to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support healthcare delivery in the country. The donation fulfills a pledge made by Alhaji Agongo during the official launch of the fund by President John Dramani Mahama.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, is a landmark initiative aimed at providing financial support to individuals living with chronic illnesses. It is designed to cover the cost of care and medication for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) not currently included under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), while also supporting investments in health infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist training, and research.
Presentation
Speaking on behalf of Alive Industries during the presentation, Alhaji Seidu Agongo highlighted the severe cost burden many Ghanaians face in seeking treatment. He cited the example of dialysis patients who pay up to GHS8,400 per month just to stay alive—an enormous financial strain in a country where the minimum monthly wage is approximately GHS450.
“I see their faces every day—mothers who sell everything they own for one more treatment, fathers who must choose between feeding their children or staying alive to raise them. These are the impossible choices no Ghanaian should have to make,” he said, highlighting his closeness with the critical survival situations that drew him into making the donation.
Mr. Agongo, former owner of the now-defunct Heritage Bank and current owner of a dialysis center, spoke about witnessing first-hand the devastating arithmetic of kidney disease in Ghana.
Citing a report by the Global Payroll Association, he explained that each dialysis session costs about GHS800, with most patients needing three sessions per week—amounting to roughly GHS8,400 per month, or $800, in a country where average monthly income is around $750.
“In a developing country where people hardly get food to eat, this is a significant strain—nearly 20 times the minimum wage,” he stressed, questioning how people are expected to cope under such conditions.
Acknowledging the Support
Health Minister, Mintah Kwabena Akandoh, who received the cheque, expressed appreciation for the donation, describing it as a gesture that transcends corporate social responsibility.
“This is about Ghanaians standing for Ghanaians,” he stated. “Alhaji Agongo demonstrates what we must all aspire to—seeing the suffering of our neighbours and responding not because we have much, but because we care deeply.”
Alhaji Agongo, who also owns Agricult, an agricultural-focused company, said his motivation stems from understanding the connection between public health and national prosperity.
“As a businessman, my success means nothing in a society where people die from treatable conditions,” he said. “My business only flourishes in a healthy environment. We all need access to proper healthcare—not as a luxury, but as a fundamental right.”
A Call to Action
Mr. Agongo also challenged other Ghanaians to support one another and improve lives across the country.
“This is not about wealth—it’s about compassion. It’s not because I have, but because I care. Together, let’s continue to lift others and be the reason someone gets another chance at life,” he said.
Alhaji Agongo has made several charitable contributions across Ghana, including constructing a block for the Child Emergency Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
