The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is courting the support of traditional authorities across the country to become key partners in promoting the Fund by using their influence to sensitise communities and encourage eligible beneficiaries to access the initiative.
Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, led officials of the Trust Fund to engage the National House of Chiefs, insisting that the success and sustainability of the Fund would depend not only on government support but also on the active involvement of chiefs.
According to her, despite the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support people living with chronic illnesses, many Ghanaians remain unaware of its existence, while others do not know who qualifies for assistance or how to access the programme.
She said the voices of chiefs command respect and inspire confidence, making them uniquely positioned to promote the initiative at the grassroots level.
“When our chiefs speak, communities listen; when chiefs champion an important national initiative, people embrace it with trust and confidence. We therefore humbly seek your partnership,” she said.
During the deliberations on Friday, July 3, some chiefs sought clarification on the continuity of the initiative, raising concerns about the “Mahama Cares” name attached to it. Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, addressed the concerns and insisted the initiative was sustainable.
President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, pledged the support of the House and urged chiefs to hold community engagements in their respective localities to sensitise their subjects on the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
“It is my hope that when we go back, especially the regional Presidents organise fora for your regional house of chiefs and share your experiences with them so that they can go to the various traditional areas to preach the gospel,” he urged.
