A new era has dawned at the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) with the inauguration of its maiden Board of Trustees and the commissioning of its new headquarters – two landmark milestones that reaffirm the nation’s commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and strengthening the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The inauguration and commissioning ceremonies brought together key figures in Ghana’s health sector, including the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, senior officials from the Ministries of Finance and Social Welfare, representatives of partner institutions, and members of the medical community. Together, they celebrated a shared vision: to build a healthier, more resilient, and equitable nation.
The GMTF is established to mobilise resources to finance and support the provision of specialised medical care for the treatment of persons with chronic diseases. Launched in April 2025 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), the Fund officially commenced operations on 1st September 2025, marking the beginning of a bold national initiative to mobilize resources, build capacity, and provide critical infrastructure to combat the growing burden of NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and cancer.
At the heart of this initiative is a 13-member Board of Trustees chaired by Mr. Anthony Ashitei Lithur, whose leadership brings together a diverse and accomplished team of professionals from the health, finance, legal, and social sectors. The Board members include:
- Mr. Anthony Ashitei Lithur – Chairperson
- Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku – Administrator
- Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe – Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Authority
- Dr. Belinda Afriyie Nimako – Representative, Ministry of Health
- Mr. Patrick Nomo – Representative, Ministry of Finance
- Mrs. Nelly Bernice Wallace – Representative, Ministry of Social Welfare
- Dr. Mohammed Sherif Abdul-Khaliq (MP) – Representative, Health Sector
- Dr. Yaw Adu-Agyei Gyamfi – Representative, Pharmaceutical Industry
- Prof. Alfred Doku – Health Professional (Chronic Disease Expert)
- Mrs. Ann Pearl Akiwumi Siriboe – Legal Practitioner
- Dr. Linda Narh – Presidential Nominee
- Hon. Cletus Seidu Dapilah – Presidential Nominee
- Mr. Godwin Ako Gunn – Presidential Nominee
The newly commissioned headquarters of the GMTF provides a permanent home for the Fund’s growing operations and nationwide initiatives. Speaking at the event earlier, Hon. Akandoh commended the leadership of the Fund and reaffirmed government’s support for its mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all Ghanaians.
“This moment represents more than the opening of a building,” he noted. “It signifies a foundation of hope, a commitment to sustainability, and a future where every Ghanaian can access quality healthcare with dignity and ease.”
From the provision of essential medical equipment, to training and capacity building for health professionals, financial support mechanisms, direct patient care, and research and data systems development, the GMTF continues to advance its mandate to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system and deliver impactful, sustainable outcomes in the fight against NCDs.
With visionary leadership from Administrator Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku and her dedicated team, and the unwavering collaboration of partners across sectors, the GMTF stands ready to deliver on its mission — to heal, to serve, and to build a healthier nation, one life at a time.
As the Board begins its tenure and the new headquarters comes to life, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund reaffirms its values of compassion, integrity, and purpose, ensuring that no Ghanaian life is lost to a preventable or treatable condition.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
