News
New NHIA board sworn in
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.
President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the proposed free primary healthcare policy is designed to support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), not to take its place.
He explained that the initiative will work alongside the NHIS to improve access to basic healthcare services across the country.
He made the remarks at the official launch of the free primary healthcare programme held on Wednesday April, 15th 2026 at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa.
According to him, the introduction of free primary healthcare does not mean Ghanaians should stop registering for the NHIS.
He urged citizens to continue obtaining their NHIS cards, stressing that the scheme remains important for healthcare delivery beyond the primary level.
He further explained that under the new arrangement, patients seeking care at polyclinics, health centres, CHPS compounds, and health kiosks will not be required to present an NHIS card at the point of examination and treatment.
Instead, individuals will only need to show a Ghana Card or any valid form of identification to prove they are Ghanaians and residents within the community to access services.
He noted that the policy aims to remove barriers to basic healthcare and ensure that more people can receive treatment at the primary level without difficulty.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three (3) suspects in connection with a case of possession of narcotic drugs and engaging in prohibited drug-related activities within the Accra metropolis.
On April 10, 2026, the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector General of Police received intelligence that a group of individuals were planning to engage in the sale of suspected narcotic drugs at Dzorwulu in Accra.
A surveillance operation was mounted and on 11th April 2026, a Police team proceeded to the area and arrested two suspects, Bright Ayivor and Ifeanyi Ijeoba.
The suspects were found in possession of twenty-two (22) compressed substances suspected to be cocaine, which were being prepared for sale to a prospective buyer.
Further interrogation of the suspects led to the identification of a third suspect, Kwabena Botwe as a key figure in the drug trade.
A follow-up operation at Caprice resulted in his arrest after Police mounted surveillance during a planned transaction involving proceeds from the sale of the suspected drugs.
The suspect later led Police to his residence at Greda Estates, where a search resulted in the retrieval of an amount of GHc400,000 and a counting machine.
According to the police, during the operation, he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with an additional GHc420,000, which has been retained as evidence.
All the suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations and will be put before the court.
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