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NHIA Kick-starts Nationwide Cybersecurity Awareness Training in Western Region
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has launched its nationwide cybersecurity awareness training program, starting with the Western Region.
On May 26, 2025, staff from the NHIA Western Regional Office gathered at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi for the inaugural session of this important training initiative.
The programme, designed to benefit all NHIA staff nationwide, aims to safeguard the Authority’s critical digital infrastructure, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen the organization’s capacity to respond to evolving cyber threats.
The training is spearheaded by NHIA’s MIS Directorate in collaboration with XYLO 360 Cyber Security Ghana Ltd., serving as the training partner.
Acting Western Regional Director, Mr. Joseph Meneabeh Akpoh, welcomed staff and expressed appreciation to Executive Management for selecting the Western Region to kick-start the national program.
He urged participants to take the sessions seriously, emphasizing that mitigating risks from human error and fostering cybersecurity awareness are essential responsibilities for every employee.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Chief Executive, Operations, Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, the Acting Director of MIS, Mr. Vitus G. Kaleo-Bioh, underscored the importance Executive Management places on the initiative. He stressed that cybersecurity awareness covers all aspects of technology use — from computers and applications to access controls and internet usage. Mr. Kaleo-Bioh warned that a single mistake by one staff member could jeopardize years of accumulated NHIA membership data, emphasizing that “cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility.”
He encouraged staff to learn, practice, and communicate responsibly in the digital space.
Providing a technical overview, Senior Manager for Information Security and Standards at MIS, Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, outlined the NHIA’s cybersecurity landscape.
He emphasized that the goal of the awareness program is to equip staff with the knowledge to prevent breaches and protect sensitive data amid growing digital operations.
Leading the training, Mr. Nathaniel Ayettey from XYLO 360 Cyber Security Ghana Ltd. delivered a series of presentations covering essential topics, including social engineering techniques, access control measures, multifactor authentication, individual responsibilities in the digital environment, cybersecurity best practices, workplace internet use policies, and email-related risks.
Director of Membership and Regional Operations, Mr. Oti Frimpong, highlighted that the MIS cybersecurity program would ultimately enhance membership enrolment and ensure uninterrupted workflow, provided staff apply the lessons learned.
Participants praised the two-day training initiative, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the NHIA’s IT systems and infrastructure. With over 75% of NHIA’s operations now relying on digital platforms, this nationwide cybersecurity training is seen as a critical investment in the Authority’s resilience.
Other notable attendees included Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah; Deputy Director of MIS, Mr. Stephen Bewong; and MIS Directorate staff Mr. Eric Asamoah, Ms. Pamela Mantey, and Mr. George Quartey.
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Oxfam in Ghana donates medical equipment and essential drugs worth GH¢1.5 million to Kasoa Polyclinic
Oxfam in Ghana has donated medical equipment and essential drugs worth about GH¢1.5 million to the Kasoa Polyclinic to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the municipality.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, at the premises of the clinic in Kasoa, formed part of the sustainability and legacy activities under the Power to Choose (P2C) Project.
The donated items included delivery beds, maternity beds, oxygen cylinders, neonatal resuscitation equipment, blood pressure monitors, newborn weighing scales, suction machines, delivery kits, essential medicines, medical theatre wear and other critical supplies to support quality healthcare delivery.
The Power to Choose Project is a seven-year initiative being implemented by Oxfam in Ghana in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), WiLDAF Ghana, SEND Ghana, Norsaac and PARDA, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Quebec.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people, particularly adolescent girls, young women and young men living in vulnerable and marginalised conditions.
Addressing nurses and management of the hospital, the Country Director for Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said the project, which began in 2021 and will run until early 2028, is being implemented in seven countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He said Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the two African countries benefiting from the project.
Mr. Adam noted that the project has already trained about 102 health workers in areas including youth-friendly services, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, family planning, gender-based violence response, respectful maternity care and inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said Oxfam and its partners conducted assessments at beneficiary facilities and identified equipment needs to help improve healthcare delivery.
According to him, the donation would create safe spaces where young women and girls could seek healthcare services without fear or stigma and would improve health outcomes in the community.
Mr. Adam thanked the Government of Canada, the Ghana Health Service, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), World Health Ghana and other partners for supporting the implementation of the project.
He urged the beneficiary facilities to ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained to serve the community for many years.
A speech by the Municipal Health Director for Awutu Senya East, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, which was read on his behalf by the Municipal Accountant, Rev. Dr. Askari Thomas, described the donation as timely and important.
He said quality healthcare delivery depends on manpower, financial resources and equipment, adding that healthcare workers cannot effectively deliver services without the necessary tools.
Dr. Yaidoo thanked Oxfam and its partners for selecting Kasoa as one of the beneficiary facilities and assured them that the equipment would be put to good use.
The Acting Medical Superintendent of Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Papa Kojo Arthur, expressed appreciation to Oxfam for its continuous support over the years through training and capacity building.
He said the equipment would greatly support the effective management of patients, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the donation would help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the municipality.
The donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of youth-friendly health facilities in eight implementing districts across five regions of Ghana to continue providing quality and accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare services beyond the lifespan of the project.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
