Mahama tells Geneva forum: Uncapping NHIS Funds Unlocks $300M …For Healthcare Investment In Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama announced that the removal of the cap on the National Health Insurance Fund has freed an additional GH¢3 billion, equivalent to about $300 million, for healthcare investment in Ghana at the opening ceremony of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

In 2017, the previous government passed the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947) to free up public resources. This capping policy limited the percentage of tax revenue allocated to statutory and earmarked funds, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and GETfund. John Mahama promised to set these statutory funds 'free' during the 2024 electioneering campaign, which he did immediately after assuming power in 2025. President Mahama said his administration is now focusing on how to eliminate fraud in the system and is leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to detect fraudulent claims and improve efficiency. He highlighted the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as "Mahama Cares," to support people suffering from non-communicable diseases. He also disclosed that Ghana is on track to transition away from support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance by 2030.

President Mahama called for a restructuring of the global health financing system, declaring that Africa must move away from dependence on foreign aid. He said cuts in international humanitarian assistance and overseas development aid had exposed the fragility of Africa's health systems. He stated that Ghana lost approximately $78 million in health financing after the closure of U.S. aid programmes. He noted that the reduction in PEPFAR funding in South Africa reportedly led to the closure of clinics and disruptions in HIV treatment services for over a million people. He said that by 2030, 9 million preventable deaths could occur due to