Chief ‘orders’ indigenous people: “Don’t enter my palace without a valid NHIS card”

The Omanhene of Goaso Traditional Area, Nana Akwasi Bosompra I, has announced that the doors of his palace will be closed to anyone who attempts to visit the location without an NHIS card in an effort to increase interest in the National Health Insurance Scheme and get his natives access to affordable healthcare.

Nana Akwasi Bosompra I asserts that it has become imperative to make the NHIS card a prerequisite for entry to the palace because he recognises the programme as an intervention designed for the healthcare and financial requirements of his townpeople.

Speaking to a delegation from the NHIA led by its CEO, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, Nana Kwasi Bosompra revealed that every household under his Traditional Council has been required to register with the NHIA because he believes this will allow them to access high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare.

He urged traditional figures around the nation to step up their efforts to get people to sign up for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He stated that in order to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to health insurance, chiefs must play a significant role. As a result, he emphasised the need of reviving community engagement in NHIS operations.

“You must bring an NHIA card if you wish to summon somebody. If you can afford to hire a lawyer, you can be sure you can afford health insurance. I’m bringing this idea so we may make the most of our abilities to benefit our people. As traditional leaders, we occasionally need to coerce our subjects into acting morally, the man remarked.

The Goaso Omanhene was praised by Dr. Okoe Boye for his kind contribution of the land that was used to build the NHIA regional office and the other two district offices.

Chiefs are seen as important stakeholders in the Scheme’s survival, thus they must join in and actively participate in the role of ambassadors, according to Dr. Okoe Boye.

The Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. George Yaw Boakye, who accompanied the team to open the freshly built projects, was previously conferred with by the NHIA Chief Executive’s delegation.

The official opening was observed by Mr. Alexander Fordjour, Hon. Yaw Osei Boahene, the chief executive of the Goaso Municipality, Mr. Matthew Amponsah, the municipal director of the Ghana Health Service, and other interested parties.

The delegation for the NHIA Chief Executive included his executive assistant, Mr. Gabriel Osei, the Ag. Director of Admin/Human Resources, Mr. Raymond Avinu, the Ag. Director of Procurement, Mr. Frank Yeboah, the Ag. Deputy Director for Corporate Affairs, Madam Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng, and a few members of the NHIA headquarters staff.