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The Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, has reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) through deeper collaboration, innovation, and strict enforcement against illegal co-payments, as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. He made the comments at the opening ceremony of the NHIA’s maiden Stakeholder Conference held at the Alisa Hotel, Accra on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The two day conference was themed, “Consolidating Strategic Partnerships for a Resilient and Inclusive Health Insurance Scheme.” It brought together stakeholders in the health sector from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana, World Health Organization (WHO), Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, policymakers, traditional leaders, NHIA staff, and directors. Mr. Debrah described the initiative as “timely and essential,” commending the NHIA Governing Board and management for their “thoughtfulness and urgency” in driving reforms within the Authority. “It is an honour to join you this morning for this important forum. I wish to thank the National Health Insurance Authority and its Governing Board for this commendable initiative. I especially want to acknowledge the Governing Board and commend Dr. Victor Banpo and his management team for the thoughtfulness and urgency with which they are steering the affairs of the Authority,” he said. Strategic partnerships The Chief of Staff emphasized that strategic partnerships remain “the cornerstone of strengthening our health systems,” noting that such collaborations “allow us to pool expertise, resources, and innovation, helping us bridge service delivery gaps and ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.” He stressed that the NHIA serves as a “key vehicle for delivering financial risk protection and safeguarding equity in access to health services,” describing its role as critical to government’s broader health policy agenda. Key achievements Highlighting key achievements of the NDC administration within its first ten months, Mr. Debrah disclosed that government had successfully “uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy,” unlocking an additional GH¢3.4 billion to support the fund this year. “This significant resource injection will go a long way to support the timely payment of claims and enhance administrative functions — and we are already beginning to see the impact,” he noted. He revealed that as of October 2025, “the total amount of funds disbursed by the NHIA to healthcare providers stands at GH¢2.8 billion,” a move he said has “boosted provider confidence, encouraged compliance, and driven steady growth in enrollment.” Commendation Mr. Debrah commended the NHIA for instituting a pre-payment regime, describing it as “a step that enhances the scheme’s credibility and sustainability,” and lauded the Authority’s ongoing digital reforms. “We also note with satisfaction the Authority’s efforts to digitalize and reform the claims processing system, making it more robust and efficient. This digital transformation reduces the risk of fraud, enhances transparency, and ensures better service delivery. The introduction of biometric membership authentication devices at provider sites further reflects a commitment to accountability and operational efficiency,” he said. Co-payments Turning his attention to the persistent issue of illegal co-payments, known as illegal fees, the Chief of Staff condemned the practice as unjust and unacceptable, warning that it undermines public trust and the objectives of the NHIS. “Co-payment, though a legitimate payment mechanism in some countries, is unfortunately not an accepted practice in Ghana. These illegal fees, often demanded at the point of need, undermine the very purpose of the National Health Insurance Scheme. They erode public trust, deepen inequality, and place an undue burden on the poor and vulnerable.” Mr. Debrah welcomed the NHIA’s Zero Tolerance Campaign against such practices and endorsed the creation of a national task force with regional and district-level branches “to investigate and recommend lasting solutions.” Intensify public education He further urged the Authority to intensify public education to dispel misconceptions about the scheme and increase membership enrollment. “Let us go beyond our offices — into communities, schools, churches, mosques, markets, and lorry parks — to educate Ghanaians about the benefits of the scheme. We must deepen members’ understanding of their rights under the NHIS and inform them about the services available to them,” he urged. Mr. Debrah further called for collective responsibility and sustained collaboration across all sectors of society to ensure the NHIS fulfills its mission of equitable health access for all. “Together, through sustained partnerships, integrity, and innovation, we can build a truly resilient and inclusive National Health Insurance Scheme that delivers on its promise to every Ghanaian,” he indicated. About The Author
