In a heartening development for healthcare accessibility in Ghana, the Ministry of Health has announced plans to expand the Mahama Cares initiative to include support for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. This compassionate response comes after a powerful public appeal by Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, who recently shared his own Parkinson's diagnosis and advocated for enhanced support for the estimated thousands of Ghanaians living with the condition.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah shared the encouraging news on social media in January 2026, expressing optimism about the program's potential to address the often overwhelming costs of managing long-term, non-communicable diseases. The framework of Mahama Cares, she explained, is uniquely designed to provide exactly this kind of comprehensive support where traditional health insurance falls short.

"Mahama Cares might be able to be some solution to those living with hereditary and genetic diseases and the non-communicable diseases," Dr. Ayensu-Danquah stated warmly. She went on to note that because Parkinson's can be hereditary or genetic in nature, it's a natural fit for the fund's support. "So Parkinson's may fall under the hereditary genetic type so that they can also be supported through this fund. So it is a good thing."

The Mahama Cares initiative, officially known as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, represents a remarkable commitment to ensuring no Ghanaian faces financial ruin while seeking treatment for serious health conditions. The program provides financial support for citizens with chronic conditions like cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease, covering costs that the National Health Insurance Scheme doesn't address. President John Dramani Mahama demonstrated his personal commitment to the cause by donating six months of his own salary to launch the fund.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah expressed deep gratitude for the President's vision, noting that the policy has already moved beyond concept into active implementation. "I want to take this opportunity to thank President Mahama for this wonderful policy that has already started, and we're beginning to see the fruitfulness of this," she remarked.

The Ripple Effect: The inclusion of Parkinson's disease in Mahama Cares represents more than just expanded coverage. It sends a powerful message that Ghana values all its citizens, including those facing neurological challenges that can be both financially and emotionally devastating. While advocates rightly point out that Ghana still needs more specialists, with only 15 neurologists serving nearly 35 million people, this policy expansion addresses the crucial first barrier: affordability.

For the thousands of Ghanaians living with Parkinson's, a progressive neurological disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, and balance issues, this initiative offers real hope. The disease requires ongoing management, specialized care, and medications that can be prohibitively expensive. By removing the financial burden, Mahama Cares allows patients and their families to focus on what matters most: quality of life and managing symptoms effectively.

This healthcare expansion demonstrates how responsive governance can create meaningful change in people's lives, transforming a health crisis into an opportunity for compassionate action and national progress.