President John Dramani Mahama has outlined the government’s comprehensive vision to improve healthcare delivery, revealing that a portion of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as MahamaCares, has been dedicated to the training of specialist doctors.

At an event where he was inducted as an Honorary Fellow and Grand Patron of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), President Mahama said the holistic vision extended beyond training more surgeons to strengthening entire healthcare ecosystems, including anaesthesia, nursing, diagnostics, and blood services.

He consequently pledged his administration's resolve to bolster surgical healthcare systems across the sub-region.

“We're not only responding to today's needs but also deliberately investing in the specialist workforce required for timely, safe and high-quality care in the years ahead,” President Mahama said.

The President made the declaration when he delivered the keynote address at the opening of the 66th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the college in Accra yesterday.

Aligning with the conference theme, “Capacity Building in Surgery”, President Mahama said the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which was established last year, was a critical instrument in the national response to non-communicable diseases.

He announced the government’s decision to settle an outstanding financial obligation owed to the college following discussions with the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who was present at the event.

“As was mentioned, there is an outstanding bill. We will take up that cost and still express appreciation to you for what you have done,” President Mahama said.

His assurance invited applause from the gathering of surgeons and medical professionals from across West Africa and beyond.

Striking a personal and humble note at the start of his speech, President Mahama humorously questioned his own fortitude in the face of surgical procedures, recounting his tendency to “run out” of the operating theatre during his wife’s Caesarean sections.

“I wonder whether I really deserve to come away,” he quipped, before offering profound gratitude to the profession.

“You saved many lives. And may God richly bless you,” he said.

He formally accepted the honours bestowed upon him, stating: “I accept these recognitions on behalf of all the people of Ghana, with humility and renewed commitment to support the work of the college”.

Call for innovation

President Mahama issued a strong call for gender equity in surgical training and leadership, indicating that it was “a practical necessity for stronger, more resilient health systems”.

He further encouraged the college to harness innovation, including artificial intelligence and digital tools, to advance surgical education and practice.

Addressing the pressing challenge of health worker migration, the President advocated practical measures to enhance working conditions, career pathways, and professional recognition to retain skilled personnel.

He commended WACS for its decades of service in standardising training and producing a significant proportion of the sub-region’s surgical workforce, acknowledging the college as an indispensable partner in building a resilient health system.

The President officially declared the conference open, wishing delegates fruitful deliberations and a pleasant experience of Ghanaian hospitality.

The week-long conference has drawn hundreds of surgeons, anaesthetists, obstetricians, gynaecologists, and other specialists to discuss advancements and collaborative strategies for improving surgical outcomes in West Africa.

Affordability 

Mr Akandoh raised concerns about the financial difficulties that confronted patients in accessing health care.

He said affordability remained one of the strongest factors affecting health outcomes.

“Across our countries, the clinical pathway is often defeated by the financial pathway.

Patients delay care because they cannot pay,” Mr Akandoh said.

The minister then outlined steps being taken by the government to address those challenges, including strengthening prevention and early detection systems through free primary health care.

“We are scaling out the quality-focused free primary healthcare initiative to strengthen early detection and referral,” he said.

Mr Akandoh further mentioned efforts to improve the financial stability of the National Health Insurance Scheme, and confirmed the rollout of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

“We are also implementing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support catastrophic costs for priority chronic conditions, including cancers, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease,” the minister said.