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The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, has emphasised the Authority’s determination to build a transparent, inclusive, and accountable health financing system, as the government pushes toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. He made the comments during 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. The NHIA CEO said the forum marked a turning point in the country’s health sector dialogue, moving from deliberation to decisive action. “Today’s gathering is not merely about discussion—it is about collective action. It is also about forging a national consensus on the direction of our healthcare system, rooted in equity, integrity, and access,” he declared. He explained that the objective of the 2025 conference was to foster transparency and accountability within the NHIS and to address one of its most pressing challenges — illegal out-of-pocket payments, also known as co-payments. “A major focus of our deliberations is to find practical ways to eliminate the scourge of illegal out-of-pocket payments, commonly and wrongly referred to as co-payments, which erode public confidence and compromise the very principles on which the NHIS was founded,” Dr. Bampoe emphasized. Provider Integrity Pact To restore trust in the system, the NHIA boss announced a key outcome of the conference, the introduction of a Provider Integrity Pact, to be signed by all healthcare providers. “By the end of this conference, we expect all healthcare providers, public and private, to publicly endorse a Provider Integrity Pact—a document reaffirming their commitment to the health and well-being of every Ghanaian, and to professional standards that strengthen public trust,” he said. He described the pact as more than a symbolic gesture, noting, “This is not a mere request; it is a moral, ethical, and professional imperative.” Dr. Bampoe further announced the establishment of a Stakeholder Oversight Committee to ensure follow-through on the resolutions adopted at the conference. “The NHIA cannot achieve the transformation we seek in isolation. It requires a recalibrated, honest, and accountable partnership among the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, healthcare providers, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and the general public,” he stressed. He added that accountability must become the bedrock of NHIA operations: “Accountability must not be a postscript; it must define our process and guide our delivery. By the end of this conference, a firm commitment will be declared—not as a ceremonial gesture, but as a binding, living statement that reflects our collective dedication and drives real change.” President’s vision Dr. Bampoe reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for an integrated and inclusive healthcare system that ensures both access and financial protection. “The government’s vision for a comprehensive, end-to-end healthcare system is clear, one that spans prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and financial protection,” he said, adding that this vision is “rooted in accelerating Universal Health Coverage.” Highlighting one of the administration’s major reforms, he stated, “A clear demonstration of the President’s commitment is the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund, which has injected an additional GH¢3.4 billion into the health sector.” According to him, this financial flexibility has empowered the NHIA to expand service delivery, improve payment timelines, and strengthen the overall healthcare delivery framework. “Thanks to the bold decision by President Mahama to remove the cap on the National Health Insurance Levy, NHIS revenue for 2025 has grown to GH¢9.76 billion, compared to the previously capped GH¢6.52 billion in 2024,” he revealed. “This financial reform has given the Authority the resources to expand service coverage, improve provider payments, and strengthen health delivery nationwide.” NHIA’s priorities Dr. Bampoe also outlined the Authority’s key priorities for the year, including the rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, the operationalization of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares), and the strengthening of claims processing systems. He reaffirmed the NHIA’s mission to build a healthcare system anchored on three key pillars, population coverage, service coverage, and financial protection. “Removing financial barriers to care is the most effective way to secure access, equity, and continuity of care across every stage of life,” he asserted. The NHIS, he added, remains central to Ghana’s health financing architecture. “The National Health Insurance Scheme remains the cornerstone of Ghana’s health financing system. Today, the scheme covers 95 percent of all primary disease conditions and has over 15.65 million active members, representing an increase of over 670,000 from last year. Our aim is to reach an unprecedented 20 million people by the end of this year,” Dr. Bampoe stated. He further emphasized the need for partnership, honesty, and innovation to deliver a health insurance system that truly works for all. “We are laying the foundation for a healthcare system that truly works for everyone. Our model is not limited to curative care. It is a continuum of care that connects preventive, primary, and specialised services, including chronic disease management and palliative support. That is what it will take to truly serve the people of Ghana,” he added. About The Author
