GPL Secretary-General angry at MahamaCares for 'abandoning' son to die despite efforts

Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson has called for stronger monitoring and accountability in the implementation of government policies after the death of his 44-year-old son, Ellis Koomson.

Speaking in an emotional interview with newsmen in Tema at the weekend, Mr Koomson disclosed that his son died at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema after a short illness.

He said the high cost of his son’s treatment brought the government’s MahamaCares initiative, officially known as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), to his attention.

According to him, he made several attempts to have his son enrolled on the programme to access financial support for his treatment, but the process was not completed before his son died.

MahamaCares is intended to provide financial assistance and specialised care to Ghanaians suffering from serious chronic and non-communicable diseases, including cancer, kidney failure, stroke and cardiovascular diseases, particularly where treatment costs exceed what is covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

In his moment of grief, Mr Koomson questioned who was responsible for the implementation of the initiative.

“Who is in charge of MahamaCares?”

He subsequently appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to strengthen the monitoring of government programmes and ensure that his appointees effectively implement policies intended to support ordinary Ghanaians.

Mr Koomson expressed concern that some government officials could become more focused on the privileges associated with their positions than on delivering the policies and programmes of the administration.

He called for stronger systems of monitoring and accountability to ensure that presidential directives translate into tangible benefits for citizens and that ministers remain aligned with the President’s priorities.

His concerns have also brought renewed attention to questions surrounding the accessibility and implementation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, particularly for patients and families facing the high cost of treating serious illnesses.

Ellis Koomson
Ellis Koomson, affectionately known as “Filanto” during his secondary school years and “Pages” at university and beyond, was 44 years old at the time of his death.

He fell ill on August 3, 2026, and was initially admitted to the Sunel Specialist Hospital. He was transferred to the International Maritime Hospital in Tema on August 6, where he remained on admission until his death on Wednesday, August 19.

His family described him as an intellectually gifted and quiet person with a strong passion for learning, research and service.

His academic work brought him into close contact with workers and their experiences, while his intellectual curiosity earned him a reputation for asking challenging and profound questions.

Ellis was also deeply committed to his Christian faith. According to his family, during his final days, he renewed his commitment to Christ.

On August 17, while interacting with his wife, Wendy, and his brother, Kenneth, at the International Maritime Hospital, he expressed a desire to be known as “Paul of Tarsus”.

His family said the declaration has since become a source of comfort and represents his personal expression of spiritual renewal and identity in Christ.

Ellis leaves behind his wife, Wendy, children, parents, siblings, extended family, friends, colleagues and members of the Ghana Federation of Labour fraternity.

Tributes have since been expressed by the GFL fraternity, trade unionists, friends and former colleagues, with many remembering him for his intellect, humility and commitment to learning and service.

His family said although his death had created a painful void, the value of his life extended beyond the years he lived to the relationships he built, knowledge he pursued and institutions and people he served.

“The man known as Filanto, affectionately called Pages, and who in his final days embraced the name Paul of Tarsus, has completed his earthly journey. But the pages of his life are not lost.”