Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) through reforms anchored on domestic resource mobilization, transparency, and accountability.
Speaking at the 2025 Stakeholder Conference in Accra under the theme “Consolidating Strategic Partnerships for a Resilient and Inclusive Health Insurance Scheme,” the Minister praised the progress made under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration but urged stakeholders to work together to eliminate co-payments in the health sector.
He began his address by acknowledging the collective expertise present at the event, stating that genuine dialogue was more valuable than merely reading from prepared remarks.
Reflecting on the transformation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) from its early pilot stages to the present system, the Minister emphasized that its sustainability was due to reliance on domestic resources rather than foreign aid.
“The National Health Insurance Authority has gone through some transformations, from piloting to the Mutual Health Insurance to the National Health Insurance as we have it now. It is not by coincidence that we have a sustainable national health insurance at the moment.
“It is because it is anchored on domestic resource mobilization, which we must not take for granted”
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health
Hon. Akandoh explained that Ghana’s ability to pay claims and sustain health coverage without dependency on foreign assistance reflected prudent financial management within the sector, noting that domestic financing gave the government the flexibility to invest resources where they were most needed.
The Minister also extended his appreciation to the leadership of various health agencies for their contributions to the sector’s progress. He acknowledged the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency and the Ghana Health Service for their proactive approach to reforms.
“I am very proud of all of you,” Hon. Akandoh stated, highlighting that the Ministry’s success depended on the dedication of its institutions and personnel and urged all executives within the sector to maintain focus on solving problems rather than merely celebrating achievements.
Reforms and Progress Under Mahama
Addressing long-standing issues that once plagued the NHIS, the minister highlighted how President Mahama’s leadership has brought major relief to the sector.
He stated that the capping of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), delayed claims payment and unrealistic tariffs were now a “thing of the past,” attributing the breakthrough to the president’s commitment.
“The president made the promise and he has delivered accordingly,” Hon. Akandoh affirmed as he assured service providers that realistic tariffs were being finalized to ensure fairness and sustainability, emphasizing that the era of service withdrawal due to delayed payments was over.
The Minister noted that the move would improve provider satisfaction and service quality.
The Minister also highlighted other complementary initiatives being implemented to improve access and affordability. Chief among them was the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, an initiative spearheaded by President Mahama to ensure that all Ghanaians – regardless of NHIS status – receive primary care without cost barriers.
He disclosed that the policy had moved past the development stage and was now undergoing stakeholder consultations ahead of full rollout. To ensure sustainability, Akandoh appealed for private sector involvement in the president’s broader “resetting agenda” for health.
“We can’t do all these good things alone. We are inviting the private sector to support us to bring these to life,” he urged.
Co-Payments and Illegal Charges
Despite the achievements, Hon. Akandoh admitted that the issue of illegal charges, commonly known as co-payments, persisted within the health sector. He described it as one of the key challenges undermining public confidence in the NHIS.
“With all these, there is still a problem and we must aggressively pursue those who are behind this canker,” he stressed, as he cited examples of health facilities that had eliminated co-payments, commending the Goaso Municipal Hospital for setting a standard worth emulating.
“Let’s continue commending those doing well and aggressively pursue those who are not,” he stated. The Minister emphasized that patient satisfaction remained central to the government’s health policy and urged the NHIA and other stakeholders to collaborate in addressing the practice once and for all.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to efficiency and accountability in healthcare management, assuring that reforms would continue to strengthen Ghana’s health insurance system.
“We know about the down system for processing details in our hospitals. It has been extensively discussed and we are currently working on it. Tomorrow, all stakeholders will be brought together, and all solutions will be shared with them for onward execution. We just don’t talk; we work”
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its readiness to partner with all stakeholders to build a health system that is both inclusive and sustainable, rooted in President Mahama’s commitment to universal health coverage for all.
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