“Let us recommit ourselves to building a resilient, inclusive NHIS” — Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, has called on stakeholders in the health sector to renew their commitment to strengthening collaboration and strategic partnerships in support of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the maiden NHIA Stakeholder Conference in Accra on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Mr. Debrah — who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang — urged participants to work collectively toward building a more resilient and inclusive health insurance system that ensures access for all.

The two-day conference, themed “Consolidating Strategic Partnerships for a Resilient and Inclusive Health Insurance Scheme,” brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, the World Health Organization (WHO), Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, policymakers, traditional authorities, and NHIA management and staff.

Mr. Debrah commended the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Governing Board and Executive Management for their transformational leadership, particularly their efforts in tackling illegal charges — popularly known as copayments — through the formation of National and Regional Co-payment Taskforces.

“These illegal fees, often demanded at the point of need, undermine the purpose of the scheme,” he said. “They erode public trust, deepen inequality, and place undue burden on the poor and vulnerable.”

He emphasized that the zero-tolerance campaign against illegal charges was crucial to restoring confidence in the NHIS and ensuring equity in access to healthcare. He also called for intensified public education to dispel misconceptions and boost membership.

“Let us go beyond our offices into communities, schools, churches, mosques, markets, and lorry parks to educate Ghanaians about the scheme’s benefits. Public awareness is our best defense against exploitation,” he urged.

The Chief of Staff also highlighted two forthcoming government health initiatives designed to complement the NHIS — the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) and the Free Primary Health Care Programme — aimed at improving access to essential healthcare and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

According to him, government’s decision to un-cap the National Health Insurance Levy had injected an additional GH₵3.4 billion into the NHIS Fund in 2025, leading to improved claims payment and renewed provider confidence.

“As of today, the total amount disbursed by the NHIA to healthcare providers this year stands at GH₵2.8 billion,” he revealed, describing the prompt payment regime as a vital reform that strengthens the scheme’s sustainability.

Mr. Debrah commended the NHIA for its ongoing digital transformation and reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in claims processing.

He stressed that collaboration among government agencies, civil society, faith-based organizations, and development partners would be key to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

“Let us recommit ourselves to consolidating strategic partnerships for a resilient and inclusive national health insurance scheme,” he concluded.

“Together, we can restore public confidence, expand coverage, and eliminate illegal charges once and for all.”

Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has lauded the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for its visionary and people-centred leadership in driving equitable access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.

Mr. Darko-Opoku praised the Authority’s Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Bampoe, and his management team for the “purposeful and transformative reforms” that continue to strengthen Ghana’s health insurance system.

“It is a privilege to salute the NHIA for its continued leadership in shaping an equitable healthcare system for all Ghanaians,” she said.

“Under the remarkable leadership of Dr. Victor Bampoe and his able deputies, the Authority has demonstrated purposeful, people-centred reforms that are restoring confidence in our health system.”

She revealed that during the Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s recent Hospital Needs Assessment Tour across the country, her team witnessed first-hand the positive impact of the NHIA’s interventions.

“Hospital administrators across the country consistently commended the Authority for its timely reimbursements — a gesture that has brought real relief to healthcare providers and stability to patient care,” she noted.

"These are quiet but powerful victories that sustain confidence in our national health system and restore pride in public service.”

Mrs. Darko-Opoku expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Bampoe for his personal support to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, particularly in its formative stages.

“Dr. Bampoe, allow me to acknowledge you personally — not only for your transformative leadership at the NHIA, but also for the immense support you have extended to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund from the very onset,” she said.

“You have demonstrated that true progress is built not on competition, but through collaboration.”

Quoting a Ghanaian proverb, she added: “As our elders say, when an elder holds your hand, you do not fall. Dr. Bampoe, your guidance and generosity of spirit have steadied our steps at the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and for that, we remain profoundly grateful.”

She emphasized that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to complement and strengthen the work of the NHIA, especially in addressing the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

“Our mission is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, especially as we confront the growing challenge of NCDs,” she said. “Together, we share one goal — that no Ghanaian is left behind in the pursuit of quality healthcare.”

Madam Darko-Opoku further underscored the importance of collaboration and shared purpose in achieving universal health coverage.

“As we look ahead, we see endless opportunities to collaborate and align our strengths for the good of every Ghanaian,” she said. “You are proof that when leadership meets vision, institutions thrive and citizens benefit. We look forward to a partnership defined by trust, shared purpose, and lasting impact.”

Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, praised the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for its remarkable transformation and resilience, emphasizing that Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) remains sustainable because it is built on a strong foundation of domestic resource mobilization rather than foreign aid dependency.

Mr. Akandoh said the NHIA’s evolution from its early days of piloting to a fully nationalized and robust insurance scheme was no accident but the result of deliberate policy choices and visionary leadership.

“The National Health Insurance Authority has gone through significant transformation — from piloting, to the mutual health insurance phase, to the national scheme we have today,” he stated. “It is not by coincidence that we now have a sustainable system. It is because it is anchored on domestic resource mobilization, which we must never take for granted.”

The Minister stressed that reliance on local funding has been the key to the scheme’s current stability, ensuring that health service delivery continues smoothly even in times of reduced donor support.

“When you have strong domestic mobilization of resources, there are no strings attached, and you can invest those resources where they are needed most,” he said. “That is exactly what we are seeing today.”

Mr. Akandoh commended the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Bampoe, and other heads of health agencies under the Ministry of Health for their dedication and results-driven leadership.

“Your Royal Majesty, before I proceed, allow me to commend all the CEOs within the Ministry of Health who are doing a human’s job — from HEFRA to my indefatigable Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, and my own Victor, Dr. Bampoe,” he said with admiration. “I am very, very proud of all of you.”

The Minister also highlighted recent government interventions that have strengthened the NHIS, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy, which has released additional funds into the scheme to clear outstanding claims and improve cash flow to service providers.

“By the grace of God, Your Royal Majesty, today the capping of the National Health Insurance is a thing of the past — and that was a promise made and a promise kept by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama,” he declared to applause.

Mr. Akandoh acknowledged that challenges such as delayed reimbursements and unrealistic tariffs had affected the scheme in the past but assured stakeholders that the government and NHIA were addressing these issues decisively.

“You’ve heard the CEO speak — we are expediting action on the issue of realistic tariffs. Very soon, service providers will see and experience the adjustments they have long advocated for,” he assured.

He urged all stakeholders to continue working together to build public confidence in the NHIS and encourage wider enrollment.

“It is important that we all come together to strengthen confidence in the national health insurance so that more people will come on board,” he said. “As leaders, we must always focus on solving problems — once one problem is solved, move to the next. It’s not about celebrating the solution but about continuous improvement.”

The Health Minister’s address reinforced the government’s commitment to ensuring that the NHIS remains a reliable, transparent, and sustainable mechanism for achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.

Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea issued a stern warning to health facility heads across the country to uphold integrity in their dealings with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), stressing that unethical practices and fraudulent claims threaten the survival of the scheme.

Prof. Akoriyea reaffirmed his full support for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and called on medical directors and superintendents to take personal responsibility for protecting the credibility of the scheme.

“To all medical directors and medical superintendents, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution,” he declared. “If we decide to cheat, we are collapsing the system.”

He criticized the practice of some health facilities submitting inflated or false claims to the NHIA, describing it as a betrayal of public trust and national values.

“How will our nation be great and strong if we spend every second trying to cheat in the claims?” he asked. “We all recite the national pledge, promising to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, yet some of us use our pens to do the exact opposite. When the system breaks down, we turn around and say health insurance is not working — but we did not do our job.”

Prof. Akoriyea emphasized that every stakeholder in the healthcare sector has a moral obligation to act honestly and uphold the principles of patriotism and service.

“Every morning we look into the faces of our children and tell them, ‘I love you, go to school,’ and we sing, ‘God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.’ But how will the nation be great if we do not do great and strong things?” he questioned.

He pledged his unwavering support to the NHIA in its ongoing campaign against fraud and illegal charges, warning that those caught engaging in malpractice would face serious consequences.

“I will support health insurance,” he affirmed. “If we catch anyone cheating, I will report them.”

Prof. Akoriyea’s remarks were met with strong applause from stakeholders, many of whom commended his candid and passionate call for accountability within Ghana’s health system.

Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to eliminating illegal co-payments and strengthening Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to deliver equitable and accessible healthcare for all.

Dr. Bampoe said the gathering marked “a moment of collective action and national consensus” toward transforming the country’s healthcare system through equity, integrity, and accountability.

He announced that the NHIA would introduce a Provider Integrity Pact to be endorsed by all health facilities — both public and private — as part of efforts to curb illegal out-of-pocket payments that erode public confidence in the NHIS. “This is not a request; it is a moral, ethical, and professional imperative,” he stressed.

Dr. Bampoe commended President John Dramani Mahama for removing the cap on the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), which has boosted NHIA’s 2025 revenue to GHS 9.76 billion, compared to GHS 6.52 billion in 2024. He explained that the reform allows for direct access to funds, ensuring faster claim payments and enhanced financial stability.

“As a result, we have increased the share of revenue allocated to claims from 56% in 2024 to 65% in 2025, with a projection of 75% by 2026,” he revealed, adding that over GHS 2 billion had been disbursed in the past nine months under the Authority’s Prompt Payment Regime.

On tackling co-payments, Dr. Bampoe disclosed the establishment of a Claims and Illegal Charges Taskforce to investigate and address the root causes of the practice, describing delayed reimbursements as “no longer a valid excuse.” He cited Goaso Municipal Hospital as a model institution for eliminating co-payments and urged other providers to follow suit.

The NHIA Chief Executive outlined a three-point vision guiding the Authority’s reform agenda:

1. Strengthening internal controls and staff welfare;

2. Restoring public trust and confidence in the NHIS; and

3. Delivering on key government health initiatives.

He also reaffirmed the NHIA’s alignment with government programmes such as the Free Primary Health Care for All initiative and the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) — both designed to expand access and protect vulnerable populations.

“The NHIA cannot achieve transformation in isolation,” Dr. Bampoe said. “It requires honest, accountable partnerships across government, providers, and communities. Together, we can rebuild trust, end illegal charges, and protect the promise of the NHIS."

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith