Show compassion to needy, vulnerable - Businessman urges citizenry
Businessman and philanthropist, Seidu Agongo, has called on Ghanaians to show greater compassion towards one another by supporting the vulnerable in society, particularly those battling life-threatening medical conditions.
He said the fight for a better and healthier country was not only the responsibility of the government, but also of individuals who must act with empathy and solidarity in the face of rising healthcare costs.
“This is not about wealth; it’s about compassion. It is not because I have, but because I care. Together, let’s continue to lift others and be the reason someone gets another chance at life,” he said.
Pledge
The founder of Alive Industries and the now-defunct Heritage Bank was speaking to the Daily Graphic, Accra, days after he redeemed a GH¢500,000.00 pledge to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, an initiative launched under former President John Dramani Mahama.
Also known as Mahama Cares, the initiative aims to provide financial support for specialist-level treatment for a range of chronic diseases, including cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke and other complications.
The donation, made on behalf of Alive Industries, was in fulfilment of a promise Mr Agongo made during the launch of the fund.
Dire situation
He emphasised that the gesture was driven by a deep understanding of the daily struggles faced by many Ghanaians in their bid to stay alive.
“I see their faces every day; mothers who sell everything they own for one more treatment, fathers who must choose between feeding their children or staying alive to raise them.
These are the impossible choices no Ghanaian should have to make,” he said.
Mr Agongo, who also owns a dialysis centre, painted a grim picture of the cost of kidney treatment in the country.
He revealed that each dialysis session costs around GH₵800, with most patients requiring three sessions weekly, amounting to over GH₵8,000 monthly.
Learners and teachers should not die due to preventable diseases or illnesses from deplorable washrooms.
“In a developing country where people hardly get food to eat, this is a significant strain,” he noted. “That’s nearly 20 times the minimum wage. How can we expect our people to bear this?” he lamented.
He further stressed that access to health care should not be a luxury but a fundamental right, adding that public health and national prosperity are deeply connected.
“As a businessman, my success means nothing in a society where people die from treatable conditions. My business only flourishes in a healthy environment,” he said.
Commendation
Receiving the cheque, the Minister of Health, Mintah Kwabena Akandoh, commended Alhaji Agongo for his generosity and commitment to social good.
“This is about Ghanaians standing for Ghanaians,” the minister said. “Alhaji Agongo demonstrates what we must all aspire to—seeing the suffering of our neighbours and responding not because we have much, but because we care deeply.”
The donation adds to Alhaji Agongo’s long list of charitable efforts, including the construction of a block for the Child Emergency Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
