Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered by President John Dramani Mahama, Dr Agyemang argued that the government’s proposed response does not reflect the scale of the problem highlighted by the president.
According to DDrAgyemang, the president acknowledged in his address that one out of every two deaths in Ghana is linked to NCDs, describing it as a major public health concern. He, however, questioned whether the creation of the Mahama-Cares fund would be sufficient to tackle the crisis.
“If one out of every two deaths in this country is caused by NCDs, then we are dealing with a very serious problem,” DrDrgyemang told Parliament.
The MP also raised concerns about the funding structure of the Mahama-Cares initiative, noting that a large share of the proposed resources would come from existing health financing systems, including contributions linked to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
“Redirecting funds from existing sources could place additional pressure on Ghana’s healthcare financing system instead of strengthening it,” he warned.
Dr Dryemang further questioned the sustainability of the policy, asking how the government intends to tackle a major health crisis using resources from a system already under strain.
He also used the debate to scrutinise the pace of implementation of key government policies. Referring to the president’s remark that the nation is “on the runway and in take-off mode,” the MP suggested it reflects slow progress in delivering major campaign promises.
“Flagship policies such as the ‘Big Push’ infrastructure programme and the proposed 24-hour economy are yet to produce significant results. More than a year into the administration, the government still appears to be preparing for take-off rather than delivering concrete outcomes,” he said.
Dr Dremang stressed that tackling non-communicable diseases requires broader and sustainable interventions, including stronger preventive healthcare policies, improved medical infrastructure, and reliable funding systems.
“Without a comprehensive strategy, Ghana may continue to struggle to reduce deaths linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer,” he warned.
Debate on the 2026 State of the Nation Address is expected to continue in Parliament as lawmakers assess the government’s policy direction and economic plans.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com