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New NHIA board sworn in
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The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has sworn in the new Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Inaugurated in Accra on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the board is expected to play a critical role in steering the NHIA towards greater efficiency, financial sustainability, and equitable healthcare coverage for all residents in Ghana.
The 17-member board is chaired by Lawrence Nii Okantey Adjetey.
The members include Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams, representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu from the Ministry of Finance, and Francisca Atuluk from the Department of Social Welfare.
Other members are Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea representing the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Abiba Zakariah from the National Insurance Commission, and Dr. Bernardette Naa Hoffman from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
It also includes Dr. Sadat Bawa representing the medical and dental profession, Dr. David Tetteh for the pharmacy profession, and Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, MP, representing the accountancy or finance profession.
Legal expertise will be provided by Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala.
Dr. Anne Sansa Daly and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, also serve on the board.
Organized labor is represented by Dr. Ken Kwaku Tweneboah Koduah, while the NHIA is represented by its Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe.
The National Health Insurance Scheme is also represented by Pious Kwame Nkuah, MP, and Daniella Mavis Abena Mathias.
Speaking at the event, Mr.Akandoh emphasised the crucial role of the board in advancing Ghana’s healthcare system, describing their appointment as both an honour and a call to national service. He urged the members to demonstrate unwavering commitment and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“It is important to remember that the job as a board or council member requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication,” he stated. “Your appointment is not only a recognition of your expertise and leadership but also a call to national service at a time when Ghana’s health sector must rise to meet both urgent national needs and emerging global health dynamics.” He added.
The Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the NHIA, highlighting recent reforms, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund and the prompt release of funds to ensure smooth operations.
He charged the board to align the NHIS benefit package with government priorities such as the Free Primary Healthcare policy.
Chairperson of the newly sworn-in board, Mr. Lawrence Nii Okantey Adjetey, expressed gratitude to the President for the appointment and pledged to uphold the mandate entrusted to them.
“With the support of everyone, we shall deliver in accordance with the matching orders of the President and Minister,” he assured. “It is a special privilege to chair the NHIA Board, and we are committed to ensuring efficient and sustainable health delivery through sound funding mechanisms.” He added.
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
