Key Points
- Mahama urges a national campaign to fight non-communicable diseases.
- He shares personal loss due to diabetes and cancer.
- Early detection and household screenings can save lives.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to take urgent action against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He called for a strong, national campaign to raise awareness, encourage household screening, and promote early detection.
Speaking in Accra on April 29 at the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Mahama emphasized the personal impact of NCDs on his life. He revealed that several members of his family died due to diabetes, cancer, and kidney failure.
“My father died from diabetes,” he said. “My mother passed away in 2016 from the same condition. My stepmother also died of breast cancer.”
He pointed out that these are not just numbers. They are real people. “We must go beyond the statistics,” Mahama said. “We need to reach out to families through better care and support.”
Personal losses drive Mahama’s call for early intervention
Mahama also shared the painful story of a loyal political supporter from Bole Bamboi. This man battled kidney failure for years. To access dialysis, he traveled regularly to Kumasi, the closest available center.
Eventually, he relocated his entire family to the city to continue treatment. Mahama explained that the high cost of care pushed the family into financial crisis. “He sold everything he owned just to stay alive,” Mahama said. “When he died, we had to support his children to complete school.”
Because of stories like this, Mahama believes early intervention is vital. He stressed the need to integrate the Ghana Medical Trust Fund with local healthcare systems.
He suggested that trained health volunteers and community pharmacies should offer basic health checks. These could include blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring. According to him, simple home visits could make a significant difference.
Early screening and education key to prevention
Mahama reminded the audience that most non-communicable diseases are preventable. He explained that many of them develop due to poor lifestyle choices.
Therefore, he called for a nationwide education campaign. This effort would inform Ghanaians about the risks of NCDs and encourage them to act early. “People must learn the dangers,” he said. “And they must take control of their health before it’s too late.”
Finally, Mahama described the Ghana Medical Trust Fund as a life-saving initiative. He said it must serve as more than just a government program. Instead, it should become a community-based solution that helps families across the country.
