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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.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
