‘Taxes should save lives in times of crisis’ - Jackson K Bentum tells government

Veteran Ghanaian movie producer Jackson K Bentum has called on the government to establish a dedicated emergency fund to support citizens battling life-threatening medical conditions, following the death of Kumawood actor Kwadwo Kwakye Obuobi.

In a Facebook post shared on July 19, 2026, Bentum said the actor’s passing had prompted him to reflect on whether Ghana has adequate systems in place to support citizens facing serious health challenges beyond their control.

According to him, governments have a responsibility to ensure that public resources collected through taxes are used to provide timely assistance to citizens, particularly during medical emergencies.

The movie director argued that when people encounter life-threatening situations they cannot overcome on their own, the state should have mechanisms that guarantee immediate intervention rather than leaving individuals and their families to depend on public fundraising or personal connections.

Veteran Kumawood actor Kwadwo Kwakye Obuobi dies after kidney failure battle

“After the passing of one of our industry legends, Kwadwo Kwakye (aka KK), I sat down and reflected deeply. I asked myself: does this country truly belong to all of us?

“When a citizen faces a serious challenge beyond their personal control, the government of the day should have systems in place to support them,” he wrote.

He lamented what he described as a system where many people struggle to receive help unless they have access to influential individuals in positions of authority.

“The resources and taxes of the people are entrusted to the government to help take care of its citizens. But what we often see is that people struggle to get help unless they know someone in authority,” he stated.

Jackson K Bentum stressed that governance should serve every Ghanaian equally, regardless of political affiliation, insisting that access to emergency support should not depend on connections or party loyalty.

He therefore proposed the creation of a special government-funded emergency intervention scheme to provide financial assistance for citizens facing critical medical conditions and other urgent life-threatening situations.

“I believe every government should establish a special fund to respond to critical situations and support citizens in times of urgent need, using the resources generated from our taxes,” he said.

The veteran filmmaker clarified that his comments were not politically motivated but stemmed from concern over the difficulties many Ghanaians face in accessing healthcare when diagnosed with serious illnesses.

He expressed hope that policymakers would consider introducing such a fund to prevent avoidable deaths caused by delays in accessing treatment.

“I hope this message reaches the government of the day. I am not a politician; I am simply a concerned citizen sharing my opinion. No one should lose their life because help came too late after a medical condition was discovered. Nobody is born to suffer. We all deserve care, dignity, and support,” he concluded.



AK/EB