JOMORO, Western Region – October 15, 2026
The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, has challenged authorities and stakeholders in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region to intensify efforts to increase enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), with only 49.63 per cent of the municipality’s population currently covered.
Dr. Bampoe said efforts to bridge the coverage gap should be a collective responsibility involving traditional authorities, political leaders, the Municipal Assembly, NHIA staff and community members, rather than being left to chiefs, the Member of Parliament and the Assembly alone.
He made the call during the commissioning of the NHIA’s new district office in Jomoro, alongside the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, who is also the Deputy Minister of Transport, and the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Kwasi Amakye III.
The new office forms part of the Authority’s commitment to expanding health insurance coverage and bringing services closer to residents.
Dr. Bampoe acknowledged the progress made but urged NHIA staff, traditional authorities, the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders to intensify community outreach, educate residents and encourage more people to register and renew their memberships.
He stressed that the facility must serve as a catalyst for improved healthcare access and protect families against the financial burden of illness.
“The true measure of this investment is the number of lives we reach, the families we protect and the confidence we restore in the NHIS,” he emphasised.
The NHIA CEO reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under President John Dramani Mahama, to strengthening access to healthcare through improved health financing.
He also cautioned healthcare providers against charging unauthorised fees for services covered by the NHIS, insisting that improvements in claims payments and provider tariffs must translate into better services for scheme members.
Dr. Bampoe further charged NHIA staff to uphold professionalism, accountability and compassion while prioritising membership education, timely renewals and efficient service delivery.
He called for regular membership performance reports to strengthen accountability and monitor progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The Western Regional Director of the NHIA, Joseph Meneabeh Akpoh, expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament, traditional authorities and other stakeholders for their support in establishing the facility.
However, he highlighted staffing and logistical challenges that require urgent attention to strengthen field operations and improve service delivery.
The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, commended the NHIA leadership for bringing its services closer to her constituents.
She encouraged residents to enrol in the NHIS and urged staff at the new office to serve the public with courtesy, efficiency and professionalism.
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Kwasi Amakye III, described the commissioning as a historic milestone for the municipality.
He called on traditional leaders to mobilise residents to register with the NHIS and maintain active membership to improve access to healthcare.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Benedict Boadi, said the new facility would strengthen public service delivery and support community education on the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
The commissioning marks a step towards improving access to NHIS services in Jomoro. However, stakeholders have been urged to translate the investment into increased enrolment, improved service quality and greater public confidence in the scheme.
