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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.
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
