Mahama Care Now Fully Operational — Health Minister Confirms ₵2.3 Billion Disbursed for Patient Support
President John Mahama on Mahama Cares
Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that the government’s flagship Mahama Care initiative is now fully operational, with funding disbursements to support patient treatment already underway.
He made this known on Monday Dec 1, at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister confirmed that the Mahama Care Bill has been passed into law, the board inaugurated, and the secretariat fully functional, signaling a major milestone in Ghana’s effort to expand equitable access to specialized health services. “I am happy to report that the status of Mahama Care is that the bill has been passed into an act, the board has been inaugurated, the secretariat is in full operation, and we’ve started disbursement for patient care,” he said.
The program, a key component of the government’s broader universal health coverage agenda, is designed to provide targeted financial assistance for patients requiring specialized or high-cost medical care.
Under the framework, specialist doctors will be required to apply on behalf of patients, after which the Mahama Care Secretariat will review and respond within 14 days.
“Your specialist medical doctor may have to apply on your behalf,” the Minister explained. “And once it gets to the secretariat, within 14 days they must respond to your application.” Dr. Akandoh disclosed that ₵2.3 billion has been allocated to the program in the 2026 budget, underscoring what he described as the administration’s shift from promises to implementation.
“These are no longer mere promises these policies now have figures attached to them,” he said. “Since the inception of the National Health Insurance Scheme, no government has paid as promptly as we are doing today.
The Mahama Care initiative is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen the healthcare safety net for citizens who face financial hardship in accessing specialized care. Officials say the program’s digital systems and 14-day approval process are intended to eliminate bureaucratic delays and ensure that funds reach patients in real time.
Public health analysts have described Mahama Care as a potential “lifeline” for patients with chronic conditions and an important test case for the country’s capacity to finance universal health care sustainably.
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