President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to donate six months of his salary to the newly established MahamaCares Trust Fund, a bold initiative aimed at combating the country’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Speaking at the official launch of the fund, formally known as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, President Mahama said that although he has yet to begin receiving his salary, arrangements are underway with the Auditor-General to finalise the necessary processes.

Once completed, he assured the public that his full six-month salary donation would be honoured.

The MahamaCares initiative is designed to support Ghanaians suffering from life-threatening NCDS such as cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and other related conditions.

President Mahama stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive national response to these illnesses, citing the overwhelming financial burden they place on patients and their families.

“The cost of treating non-communicable diseases continues to devastate many households,” he said.

“This fund will ensure that patients get access to specialist care without being crippled by financial hardship.”

To ensure the fund’s effectiveness, President Mahama announced that it would require approximately GHS 3 billion annually over the next three years.

He added that a significant portion of the funding is expected to come from the uncapped segment of the National Health Insurance Levy.

The MahamaCares Trust Fund is expected to operate in close collaboration with public health institutions, with the goal of expanding access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services for NCDs across the country.