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NHIA boss joins Ghana delegation at AU health summit
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The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, has joined Ghana’s delegation at the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra to discuss ways of improving healthcare across the continent.
The two-day summit, which opened on Tuesday, July 21, brought together African leaders, health ministers, policymakers, development partners and public health experts to discuss ending AIDS by 2030, reducing preventable maternal deaths, tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases, and strengthening health systems in Africa.
The meeting is being hosted by the Government of Ghana under the theme: “Addressing Preventable Maternal Deaths, Ending AIDS by 2030, Addressing Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Endemic to the Continent, and Strengthening Health Systems by 2030.”
Dr Bampoe’s participation highlights the NHIA’s commitment to supporting Universal Health Coverage through sustainable health financing and ensuring that all Ghanaians have access to quality healthcare.
According to the organisers, the summit is providing African leaders with an opportunity to review progress made under previous health commitments, identify challenges affecting healthcare delivery and adopt new strategies to help countries achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Ghana’s delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, improving maternal and child health, expanding access to essential health services and building resilient health systems capable of responding to future public health emergencies.
As part of the summit, Dr Bampoe is expected to grant interviews to international media to highlight Ghana’s progress in expanding access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He is also expected to outline ongoing reforms aimed at improving the scheme’s financial sustainability, strengthening primary healthcare, promoting digital innovation and accelerating the country’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
Welcoming delegates on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said Ghana was hosting the summit not only as a venue but also as “a committed partner in Africa’s collective pursuit of a healthier, more dignified and self-reliant continent.”
He acknowledged that although Africa had made significant progress in reducing communicable diseases, including HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, maternal mortality, inadequate healthcare financing and dependence on imported medicines continued to threaten the continent’s health security.
Mr Akandoh called on African countries to move beyond declarations and focus on implementation by increasing domestic health financing, expanding local production of medicines, vaccines and health technologies, and making primary healthcare the foundation of their health systems.
He said Ghana had already taken steps in that direction through reforms such as the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy, the rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and efforts to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“A continent that finances its own health secures its own future. It cannot remain hostage to changing priorities beyond its shores,” the minister stated.
By:Jacob Aggrey
A warehouse in Kwadaso, Anyinam, near the Pat-Doramo International School in the Ashanti Region was engulfed in flames this afternoon, sparking panic among residents and students in the area.
The fire, whose cause is yet to be determined, broke out at the facility and quickly spread, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky that could be seen from nearby communities.
Personnel from multiple fire service stations were immediately deployed to the scene.
Firefighters from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Fire Station, the Ghana National Fire Service Regional Headquarters, and the KNUST Fire Station have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
They were supported by DRIP water tankers, which supplied additional water to help fight the inferno and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures, including the Pat-Doramo International School.
Officers from the Ghana National Fire Service have commenced investigations to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.
The Ghana National Fire Service has also reminded the public to adhere to fire safety protocols, especially for warehouses and commercial facilities, to prevent similar incidents.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the assault of an arrested person while in police custody and has directed the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said it noted with concern that the assault followed public statements linked to a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that regardless of the allegation against a suspect, no one has the right to assault a person in police custody.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the statement noted.
It also expressed serious concern over how civilians gained access to the person in custody.
The Minister, Muntaka Mubarak has directed the IGP to take three immediate actions
They are to identify how civilians accessed the arrested person and determine if any police personnel facilitated, permitted or acquiesced, adding that officers found culpable will face disciplinary action.
Additionally take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons who carried out the assault, in accordance with the law.
And finally investigate the conduct of all supervising officers responsible for custody and supervision, and apply disciplinary sanctions where necessary.
The Minister further directed the Police to deal with all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents “strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.”
The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana.
“No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement emphasized.
It reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
