Solomon Owusu is a member of Movement for Change
A leading member of the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu, has surprisingly voiced a differing view on President John Dramani Mahama’s donation of his six-month salary to the Mahama Cares medical fund.
Acc1ording to him, the president’s gesture is not something he is happy about, as he believes that while such acts may seem commendable, they often expose ulterior motives.
He made reference to Ken Ofori-Atta’s gesture of reportedly not receiving a salary, only for it to later emerge that he allegedly amassed wealth belonging to the state through his bank, Databank.
“The gesture by President Mahama donating his six months’ salary into the Mahama Cares medical fund is something I don’t want to hear. The last time we heard such a claim, it was said that Ken Ofori-Atta, a government appointee did not receive a salary, yet he had amassed wealth through his bank, Databank, by securing loans for the country,” he said in an interview with Onua FM on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Acknowledging the president’s initiative with the medical fund and his promise to uncap the National Health Insurance, the politician advised the president to continue receiving his salary.
However, he recommended that the president implements an approach that would encourage corporate institutions to contribute to the cause, cautioning him not to rely on his own salary for such donations.
He maintained that, personally, he does not take individuals who donate their salaries to national causes seriously, as he believes such gestures could be driven by ulterior motives and cost the state.
“… He should take his salary and ensure he governs the country well for citizens to benefit from state resources. He says he will uncap NHIS and so he should find ways corporate institutions can donate but he shouldn’t tell us he is using his salaries. I don’t take people who donate their salaries to the state serious because it means they have other means of amassing wealth,” he added.
President John Dramani Mahama pledged six months of his salary to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as ‘Mahama Cares’ initiative during the launch of the fund at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Announcing the donation, President Mahama commended Ghanaians who have already contributed to the fund, emphasising that as its founder, he must also play his part in ensuring its success.
“Prof Ayetey, a retired doctor, has donated $1,000 to the Ghana Medical Trust. That should encourage all of us and, especially corporate institutions, to do even more. As the initiator of this laudable programme, I must also contribute.
“And so, I’ve pledged six months of my salary to Mahama Cares. I haven’t started receiving a salary yet, they say the Accountant General is still processing it, but once that’s completed, six months of whatever I’m entitled to will go into Mahama Cares,” he added.
Watch video of Solomon Owusu’s submissions below:
MAG/AE
Meanwhile, watch as Kwesi Pratt ‘threatens’ to fight Mahama if he ever attempt a third term