Osman Deiwia Nankpa III backs Ghana Medical Trust Fund after costly kidney treatment

A kidney illness that cost him more than GH¢60,000 in 2008 has shaped how Paramount Chief Osman Deiwia Nankpa III views the financial strain serious health conditions can place on families. He is now urging Ghanaians to support the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), describing it as a timely intervention that could help people obtain treatment when money is tight. Speaking at a GMTF stakeholder engagement and town hall meeting in the Upper West Region, Nankpa said his experience had shown him the high costs of managing severe illnesses and the emotional and economic pressure they bring. He encouraged residents, traditional authorities and businesses to help ensure the fund can continue its work. The chief said illness can disrupt a family’s plans and financial stability, and argued that people should not be denied essential care because they cannot afford it. He praised President John Dramani Mahama for establishing the fund, saying it could become a lasting legacy of his administration. Nankpa also called for heart surgeons to be available in the Upper West Region, so patients needing specialised care would face fewer difficulties seeking treatment outside the area. Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing said the fund’s success depended on collective efforts to reach those in need and pledged support from the Regional Coordinating Council. He also urged the media to inform the public and address misunderstandings about the fund. GMTF Administrator Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku explained at the meeting that the fund was set up to provide financial support to eligible patients. The report does not include the rest of her remarks.