GNAT's Medical Centre to get govt boost - President Mahama pledges support

President John Mahama has pledged the government’s support to develop the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC), which has been acquired by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), into a first-class healthcare facility for teachers and the public. 

The announcement came during a meeting with GNAT executives at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday.

The President commended GNAT for its strategic investments, including its majority shareholding in Aviance Ghana Limited, describing them as exemplary demonstrations of local capacity in critical sectors.

He particularly highlighted the potential of SGMC to address growing non-communicable disease challenges in the country.

President Mahama revealed plans to integrate the medical centre with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as MahamaCare, to provide subsidised cancer and cardiovascular disease treatments.

"This partnership will make quality health care more accessible to teachers and all Ghanaians,” he told the GNAT delegation. 

Meeting

The delegation, led by the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, and GNAT’s investment Consultant, Kwame Pianim, sought the government’s support to expand the medical centre which GNAT acquired around 2020.

GNAT investments also include TF Properties, GNAT Heights, Unique Insurance Co. Ltd, Frontline Pensions Trust Limited and Creditmall.

The meeting also addressed pressing welfare issues for teachers.

President Mahama announced that all new basic school projects would include attached accommodation for teachers to address a longstanding challenge in the education sector.

He further disclosed plans for a low-cost housing scheme that would enable teachers to own homes through manageable salary deductions throughout their career.

Pension reforms

On pension reforms, the President acknowledged outstanding concerns and promised a comprehensive review of the system in collaboration with organised labour.

"We want every teacher to retire with dignity and proper housing," he emphasised.

The discussions touched on broader national issues, with President Mahama expressing concern about declining public confidence in democratic governance.

He said the Constitutional Review Committee would examine proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution, building on previous reform efforts.

In the education sector, President Mahama stressed the importance of decentralising school management and restoring active Parent-Teacher Association participation in school administration.

He described those as critical steps toward improving educational outcomes.

Support

Mr Musah recounted how Mr Pianim led the association in 1998 to establish the Teachers Fund, which was now worth about GH¢4 billion.

For his part, Mr Pianim encouraged the President to fulfil his promise to support the expansion of the medical centre.

“Out of the 36 million people in the country, you are the right person to reset the nation. When we were coming, I told them that this is a President who, if he says he will do something, he does it,” he said.  

Mr Pianim also praised GNAT for its role in advocating  teachers’ welfare across the country.

“This is the most progressive union in the nation,” he said.

The SGMC specialises in the management of NCDs, particularly cancers.

Its acquisition by GNAT marks a significant expansion of the teachers' union's investment portfolio, which already includes substantial interests in the aviation sector through Aviance Ghana Limited.

President Mahama concluded by praising GNAT's leadership in teacher welfare advocacy and promised continued collaboration to implement the agreed policies.

The government expects to finalise details of the housing scheme and the SGMC partnership by early 2026.