Day: June 20, 2024

The introduction of the National Health Insurance Mutual Scheme in 2003, and the subsequent enactment of the relevant legislative (ACT 852) and implementation frameworks have resulted in Ghana’s huge leap towards a reduction in financial hardship in individual and household healthcare costs, the mitigation of catastrophic health expenditure and a consequent expansion in universal access to health care.

The continuous increase in health insurance enrolment and utilisation as evidenced in nationwide patronage of NHIS services attests to the significance of the scheme. Successive governments have acknowledged the role of this social solidarity form of safety net and have thus put in place comprehensive management and implementation strategies through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to churn out distinctively innovative and client-centred health insurance services.

Yet, there appears to be a lacuna between the ideal goals set by leadership and the actual healthcare needs required by both service
providers and members of the scheme. The need to unbind the ex-ante and ex-post mechanisms in this heterogeneous NHIS scheme as it does not clearly align to a single universally recognised health insurance system is a sine qua non.

Subscriber premium

Ghana’s NHIS bears semblance to the United Kingdom’s NHS due to its reliance on general revenue and earmarked taxes, but at the same has deviated from same because of its dependence on annual subscriber premium payment as in the case of some known public and private health insurance systems.

Mandatory social security contributions made by employers and employees onto the scheme also makes it an employee insurance. These pluralistic modes of funding, not leaving out earmarked taxes, external aid and the NHIS levy, clearly complicate the mobilisation, and pooling of NHIS funds, and thus affect the timeliness of payments made by the scheme.

To the substantive issue, for the NHIS to strive towards universal coverage, there is the need to move for a nationwide net
enrolment of at least 80 per cent to 90 per cent. The issues pertaining to enrolment as permitted by the various pathways among which is subscriber premium payment, exclusion payment by SSNIT contributors, various forms of aid given to members on LEAP and people living with functional difficulties, and special enrolment drive are all meant to increase coverage.

However, another deviation from general health insurance enrolment principles leads to a structural bottleneck in enrolment.

Parameter

This parameter pertains to mandatory subscriptions. The voluntary subscription to the scheme as permitted by the NHIS Act (Act 852) needs urgent amendment. This directly affects revenue mobilisation, pooling and the predictive ability of the insurance regulatory in determining the annual inflow of funds, and at the same time contributes to challenges in early reporting and diagnosis as a result of subscription and renewal delays.

Provider adverse selection and client self-induced moral hazard should not be entertain
ed in any health safety net in the country. Thus, the NHIA should be commended on its enrolment of all residents in Ghana in the scheme without varying premiums based on existing health conditions and personal factors.

However, there is an urgent need to introduce compulsory annual basic medical examination prior to subscription and renewal as it will enhance the predictive ability to estimate annual expenditure levels and determine the availability of funds, especially when enrolment becomes legally mandatory while putting in mechanisms for social inclusion.

Further, there is a need for a national-level discourse and action on the premium levels and duration for renewal. Though the debate might favour the current annual subscription of less than GHS50 which can be paid on electronic mobile platforms using a USSD code (*929#), there is a need for a systematic review of all the contributions generated from the pluralistic funding sources, and the actual expenditure incurred and funded on the various funding
lines as a net proportion of the pool funds.

Also, there is the need to conduct needs and situational assessments to determine subscriber preferences and capacity to pay as part of the sustainable financing modalities. Short-term subscriptions and graduated premium payments determined on a point-based system are thus encouraged to mitigate funding challenges and delays in reimbursement to service providers.

As a subsidiary national health account, the implementation of a separate national health account backed by appropriate legislation and regulatory framework for the mobilisation, pooling and purchasing of health insurance services will facilitate speedy but efficient transactions by the NHIA.

As electronic modes of claims generation, processing and submission have been established for service providers, similar systems should be enhanced for claim reception, processing, auditing and reimbursement with appropriate timelines established.

By and large, the heightened political commitment, expertise and pu
blic interest in the NHIS emphasise its crucial role in the advancement of the health of the nation. Though the writer does not point out any issue relating to the recent developments on the inclusion of coverage for certain chronic conditions in the current NHIS, the writer supports this in principle.

However, it is strongly recommended that such efforts should be piloted in a separate or subsidiary chronic disease and long-term disability National Insurance Scheme which outlines subscription modalities, funding sources and implementation strategies under the legal mandate of the NHIA.

Efforts

In sum, efforts need to be made to streamline the funding sources of the NHIS. If general revenue and earmarked taxes will remain a major funding source, then mandatory enrolment should be a major component of the scheme.

In choosing this pathway, there is a need to put across propositions for a post-treatment co-payment component of between one to 20 per cent upon every usage at a facility while a point-based prem
ium component is evaluated and incorporated.

A basic medical examination backed by law should be tied to enrolment and renewal while negating any possibility of adverse selection.

Careful analysis of the funding sources and pooling should be done to ensure financial sustainability and reduce catastrophic expenditure in healthcare costs on individuals and households.

The electronic systems for claims generation, processing, submission and reception should incorporate adequate feedback loops, monitoring and validation mechanisms to enhance timely reimbursement of NHIS services.

To this end, Ghana needs our support to advance the health of the nation through the application of a resilient but adaptive health insurance system.

Source: Ghana Web

When we were in the basic school those days at cyto, we used to sing the ‘National Anthem and the ‘Pledge’ during early morning assembly. The irony of life comes in when you have a small sore on a toe or lower part of your leg. There are three toes noted for getting injured from: the big toe, the one next to it and the smallest toe.

They are very prone to injuries and sore; I don’t know why. During school assembly, house flies would never come to disturb you until you are asked to stand ‘attention’ without moving or fidgeting because you are about to recite the Pledge or sing the National Anthem. That is exactly the time the flies would come with your sore toe as a target to disturb your life. Such is life; when you are about to make progress, the detractors come in but you have to stand firm and at ‘attention’ mode. Focus!

I remember how I learnt from my peers at the time that when you have a small sore on your toe, in order to avoid stumbling on it, use the ‘seamtress’ black thread to tie the neck of the
toe. By so doing, the toe ‘sees’ clearer and so you cannot stumble on it. Ironically, it didn’t work for me because any time I accidentally stumbled, I stumbled with the problem toe. I can perceive you saying and cringing ‘aish’!

I’d learnt later in life that headache is not a disease but a symptom of a disease trending in the body which needs attention. Akin to this, I have also learnt that anytime I hear the fire alarm beeping, it is not enough to just turn the alarm off! It is important to rather check where the fire is coming from and deal with it as such. Some people instead of looking for the problem being triggered by the alarm, they will remove the batteries from the alarm as ‘it is disturbing them’.

Malam Isaac is my friend and has been very reliable when it comes to designing of kaftans. Malam had never disappointed me anytime I needed his services. His real name is Isaac but his nickname is Malam. Less than an hour after we spoke concerning an upcoming programme where I would need something sewn
for me, Malam had refused to pick my calls. All messages including whatsapp appeared delivered but no response. Me too, I needed his assistance badly.

I got angry and said things about him in my head quietly. One of that was: ‘Ei human beings cannot be trusted’ ‘Malam has changed’. I went to his house and knocked on the door several times before someone came to open the door. Here was Malam down with malaria shivering in his room…all alone. The problem is that Malam lives close to where the bushes are and mosquitoes ply their trade around here. I felt so sad and couldn’t even talk.

Then it dawned on me that whenever someone is not picking your calls, please don’t conclude; he or she might just be going through one challenge or the other. You may never know. Just forgive.

My neighbor has only two goats and I have a pen of plenty goats which keep getting missing every now and then yet my neighbour is always eating goat meat even though his two goats are still intact! Mr Alornyo, what should I do? It’s weeken
d and tomorrow no wedding invitation yet. If you are lucky you have some of your salary left, thank God for there were some who never even got salary due to various circumstances but are still thankful.

Like I was saying in this confused column, I met one such half jujuman and half church pastor. I don’t know which one to believe. We bumped into each other at Odorna where I was going to buy car battery. Immediately the following conversation ensued between me and the pastor:

Me: Sorry, Sir please I am looking for the place where I can buy car battery.

Fetish Pastor: Oh good but before I do that I can just see what is about to befall you

Me: Really?

Fetish Pastor: Yes, your father died some years back but your mother is still alive. She falls sick today and tomorrow she is fine or she is fine today and tomorrow she’s sick.

At this point the man succeeded in grabbing my attention to the extent that I forgot about the car battery. Everything he said was ‘true’, abi?

My expression of amazement emboldened h
im to continue telling me ‘the useless truth’

Fetish Pastor: You got a visa to travel to Europe next week Friday but please don’t go because there may be a problem on the way.

At this point I realized though his first tricks worked on me, this one was a scam.

Me: Visa?, I exclaimed

Fetish Pastor: Yes, visa to Europe

Me: But I don’t even have a passport

Fetish Pastor: Massa, give me some 2 cedis for koko and stop the too known thing! I am only referring to a spiritual visa which will come later, God willing. Just say Amen! I did so while still laughing at him.

The world has become so dangerous that some people are just finding ways and means to exploit others. Open your eyes o, Putu, my Brother.

Ei, I wanted to narrate the following about myself but if I say it, you would think I am bad even though I know it’s true so I will use my best friend, Solo as if he is the one. Hahahahahai…my Amega, how be you? Solo is another stubborn reader of this column. When you told me last night that Ayi, your Mechanic
had died, I couldn’t sleep. Hope you know why.

He was owing me money, in fact a refund of a useless spare part he bought to fix my motor cycle. When Ayi was alive, anytime I wanted to go for my money, I procrastinated with the hope that after all, I can get him anytime to collect my money. Yes oo, procrastination and the kind of implications it has on our everyday lives!

Where was I mpo? Yes yes yes. Solo went to see a jujuman to help him eject his troublesome tenant who pounds fufu every Sunday but refuses to share it with him. Worse of all is the fact that his tenant has been disturbing him with loud speakers blasting out reggae music making it difficult for him to sleep.

According to him, nothing annoys him more than reggae music composed by some underdog artistes. What even irritates him the more is that the man will be singing along.

This was the conversation that ensued between my friend Solo and the jujuman:

Jujuman: I know the problem you have come to consult me about; yes, your landlord is envyi
ng you because your business is doing well

Solo: I see. So what should I do since, I am not a tenant but a landlord

Jujuman: Yes, I mean your tenant is envying you so be careful.

Solo: So what should I do?

Jujuman: Call the police for him

Solo: How?

Jujuman: tell the police he is a thief and they will help you eject him

Solo: But he is not a thief; he works as a Secretary to an association at Haatso

Jujuman: then ask him to build his own house

Solo: But he is a retiree and doesn’t make enough to enable him build a house

Jujuman: Ok, that’s where the problem is; he does not see why at his age, he’s still a tenant and you as young as you are, you are his landlord so he would finish you by all means. Call the police.

Unconvinced by the way the man was going about his ‘diagnosis’, Solo just kept quiet for a few minutes and the man kept talking…about nothing. Solo is now a Reverend Minister. To God be the glory! Darkness can never outshine light!

Solo, greetings from Anunmle 3 and 4 Primary School to y
ou. ‘Now the day is ooovaaa…night is drawing nighhhhhh, shadows of the evening….’ How to complete the rest of this this closing song depends on whether you attended Anunmle 1-4 Primary School or Abavana 1-500 where Malam Isaac and I attended school! Anunmle was the place where you got beaten for speaking vernacular and the beating is in vernacular.

Source: Ghana Web

Bernard Allotey Jacobs is delighted about the union of Kennedy Agyapong, the Assin Central lawmaker and main contender in the NPP presidential elections, and Vice President and flagbearer of the party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The duo were seen together during Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Ashanti Region which marked the last of his tours in the sixteen Regions of Ghana.

Both Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Bawumia were spotted excitedly engaging in the street-to-street and house-to-house engagements with the people and Mr. Agyapong played active role in the campaign itinerary in the Region.

Allotey Jacobs, a former NDC Central Regional Chairman, expressed his joy that Kennedy Agyapong has joined the Bawumia’s campaign team and negated the perceptions that some people have about Mr. Agyapong’s character and personality.

“He is full of surprises…Sometimes, don’t look at his temperament but rather he has a big heart for a lot of things, for the good, the bad, even the ugly,” he said on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show.

Source: Ghana Web

The spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shuaib has indicated that there is nothing wrong with pastors praying for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

This comes on the back of a section of the public criticizing the Vice President for engaging in religious duplicity for allowing pastors to lay their hands on him and pray for him.

There are several pictures on both social and traditional media where the Vice President as part of the campaign visits a church after which pastors pray for him.

But speaking on the GHOne TV State of Affairs show, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shuaib stated that there are good reasons why one will find a Muslim in the church.

According to him, he has entered into churches with the Chief Imam like when the Catholic Church had an anniversary, ‘and the Chief Imam was invited, so I went with him.

‘I enter the Presbyterian Church and give lectures. It doesn’t make me less of a Muslim. There’s a way to describe practicing the faith. For example, i
f I go and behave like every Christian, inside me, I’m a Christian, though I say I’m a Muslim. That would mean compromising my faith, and then there is something wrong.

‘No, no, there are things that are done symbolically. Priests come to the Chief Imam’s place, and when they are leaving, they say they want to pray for him. Sometimes I cringe a little bit because I don’t know what will happen. I will whisper in his ear that they want to say a prayer for him, and he will say, ‘Let them pray” Sheikh Aremeyaw Shuaib narrated,

He continued: ‘Those acts are symbolic of friendship. There is something in religious studies we call the phenomenological study of religions, which is a method of research that requires you to bracket your subjectivities to understand. So symbolically, those are called empathetic engagements.

‘He is a politician. He is using political tactics. Dr. Bawumia knows that even if all Muslims vote for him, he will not win an election. Politically, it doesn’t make sense to be on one side.

‘So
he is doing politics, and people must view him from the angle of his political strategy to get votes from every corner. All the politicians do this. They come to Muslims. Some of them come to the Chief Imam for him to pray for them.

“The Chief Imam lays his hands on the heads of politicians. When they come, they squat and give their heads to the Chief Imam to pray for them. It’s because of how they see him, but it doesn’t make them less Christian,’ the Chief Imam’s spokesperson stated.

Source: Ghana Web

The Bekwai Light Industrial Area is buzzing with excitement following the recent intervention by Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Bekwai Constituency.

Lawyer Poku-Adusei has initiated the resurfacing of the previously unmotorable roads leading to the industrial hub, which had been left in disrepair for so long.

This road upgrade comes after the successful launch of the official Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei 2024 campaign.

The poor condition of these roads in question had long been a significant impediment, restricting access and creating challenges for workers, business owners, and customers alike.

The deterioration not only affected daily commutes but also hampered business operations and economic activities within the area.

Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s timely efforts to repair and upgrade the road infrastructure have been met with widespread approval.

The newly resurfaced roads are now providing smooth and safe access to the Bekwai Light Industrial Area, great
ly enhancing transportation and facilitating easier movement for all.

This development is expected to bolster local businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s intervention has now opened up the area, creating a smooth and safe passage for all.

Benefits of the Resurfaced Road include:

1. Improved Access: The resurfaced road provides easy access to the industrial area, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services.

2. Boosting Employment: With improved access, businesses in the industrial area can now operate more efficiently, creating more job opportunities for residents.

3. Economic Growth: The resurfaced road will attract more investors and customers, stimulating economic growth and development in the area.

4. Enhanced Safety: The improved road reduces the risk of accidents and injuries, ensuring a safer environment for all users.

*Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s Commitment to Development*

This project demonstrates Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s commitment to de
veloping the Bekwai Constituency and improving the lives of its people.

His focus on infrastructure development, job creation, and economic growth aligns with his campaign promises to prioritize the needs of the constituency.

*Community Applauds Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s Efforts*

The resurfacing of the road has been met with widespread appreciation from the community, with many expressing gratitude for Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s timely intervention.

This project has renewed hope in the community, demonstrating that their concerns are being heard and addressed.

As the campaign season progresses, Lawyer Poku-Adusei’s commitment to development and improving the lives of the people in Bekwai Constituency remains unwavering.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghana, a country renowned for its rich gold deposits, is experiencing a new gold rush, this time in the coconut industry.

The burgeoning coconut sector presents immense opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. However, this emerging industry also faces challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its long-term viability.

This article delves into the opportunities, challenges, and prospects of Ghana’s coconut industry. Once an overlooked crop, coconut, is now experiencing a surge in popularity that is transforming the country’s agricultural landscape.

From smallholder farmers to large-scale producers, Ghanaians are embracing the versatile and lucrative potential of coconut, driving a boom that is expected to have far-reaching impacts on the nation’s economy, environment, and food security.

As global demand for coconut products continues to soar, Ghana is poised to become a major player in the industry, leveraging its ideal climate and rich soil to produce high-quality
coconuts that are already finding their way into international markets.

Ghana is currently the leading producer of coconut in Africa and number 12 in the world with an annual production of 504,000 metric tonnes (FAO Statistical database 2022).

According to the Vice President of the Coconut Federation of Ghana, Kwaku Boateng, about 1.8 million Ghanaians have gained employment in the coconut sector.

The coconut boom in Ghana is about more than just export earnings ; it is also about empowering local communities, promoting sustainable agriculture, and unlocking the potential of a crop that has been a staple in Ghanaian culture for centuries.

Coconut production is generating employment opportunities for thousands of Ghanaians, particularly in rural areas. Coconut production is promoting community development, as farmers invest in their families and communities.

Smallholder farmers and large-scale producers are benefiting from training and support programs under the GEPA Coconut Revitalization Project and the
Tree Crops Development Authority, enabling them to improve their yields and incomes.

According to Kwaku Boateng, the government of Ghana has made provision for coconut farmers to receive seedlings as well as training to help boost the coconut industry under the GEPA Coconut Revitalization Project and the Tree Crops Development Authority. Several sessions of distribution and training have taken place.

Despite its economic importance, the coconut industry in Ghana faces several challenges. One of the major challenges is the competition between the local value chain and the export market.

Many farmers prefer to sell their coconuts to export companies rather than to local processors, leading to a shortage of raw materials for local industries. One farmer shared that selling it to exporters is more lucrative because they buy in large quantities and pay more.

The industry also faces challenges related to farming practices and technology. Many farmers still use rudimentary farming methods, which lead to low yiel
ds and poor-quality coconuts.

Upon visiting some coconut farms across the country, it was evident that most farmers are set in their old ways when it comes to farming. There is a need for improved farming practices and technology to increase yields and improve the quality of coconuts.

Mr. Kwaku Boateng stated that investing in the coconut industry is a sure way to make coconut business in Ghana more appealing to Ghanaians. In that regard, the coconut festival, celebrated to showcase the numerous prospects of coconut and to connect stakeholders is one of the ways in which the investment is being made.

The festival has been organized by the African Coconut Group in collaboration with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in September on a yearly basis since its inception, organisers assure Ghanaians this year will be no exception all things being equal.

Ghana’s coconut gold rush presents a unique opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. Addressing the challenges and
harnessing the opportunities in this burgeoning industry will require a collaborative effort from the government, private sector, and civil society.

By prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and market access, Ghana can establish herself as a significant player in the global coconut industry, contributing to economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.

Source: Ghana Web

Kwamena Duncan has criticized Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the trial involving the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, over a dubious ambulance purchase deal.

The Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, has sued Ato Forson for failing to procure some 200 ambulances for Ghana while serving as Deputy Finance Minister during the Atta Mills/Mahama administration.

Richard Jakpa and Ato Forson, who were reportedly leading the transaction, have been accused by the Attorney-General of causing financial loss to the state.

During the trial at the High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Jakpa also accused lawyer Godfred Dame of soliciting his help to build a case against Ato Forson.

A secret audio recording of Jakpa and the Attorney-General has been presented in court. However, the recording, which was initially played by the opposition National Democratic Congress at a press conference to implicate the Attorney-General, has been deemed “doctored” as the court demands the complete ta
pe.

Commenting on the issue during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, Kwamena Duncan, a former Central Region Minister, condemned Jakpa and the NDC, stating that the court has uncovered their deceit.

According to him, Jakpa is attempting to be cunning, and the NDC’s intention was to defame the Attorney-General, but this has backfired with the revelation that the tape they played was an abridged version of the full conversation between the Attorney-General and Jakpa.

He further stated that it has been established that it was not the Attorney-General who approached Jakpa, as the latter claimed, but rather Jakpa who sought a plea bargain with the Attorney-General.

This assertion is supported by evidence that Jakpa sent over 60 WhatsApp messages to lawyer Godfred Dame, who responded only twice.

“When you examine his life, indeed, this is a person who, after his actions, seeks to find a way to extricate himself from the firm grip of the law,” Kwamena concluded.

Background

Jakpa and Ato Forson have been charged in
a High Court with causing a financial loss of pound 2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.

According to the Attorney-General’s facts accompanying the charge sheet, in 2009, while delivering the State of the Nation Address, then-President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills announced that new ambulances would be acquired to enhance the operations of the National Ambulance Service.

Jakpa, a local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited, a Dubai-based company, proposed to the Ministry of Health that he had secured financing from Stanbic Bank for the supply of the 200 ambulances. However, only 30 ambulances were purchased for a sum of pound 2.37 million, and all were found to be “not fit for purpose.”

Source: Ghana Web

The proposed sale of SSNIT’s majority stake in four hotels has sparked significant debate in the country, prompting a protest called “Hands Off Our Hotels.”

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, revealed that plans are underway to sell a 60% stake in four hotels owned by SSNIT to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company owned by Dr. Bryan Acheampong. Dr. Acheampong also serves as the MP for Abetifi and as the Minister of Agriculture.

Subsequently, Ablakwa petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and halt the sale of six hotels, which included the Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.

On the other hand, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) offered an explanation, stating, “Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal among those received. Consequently, it is in ne
gotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four hotels.”

Highest bid

During a panel discussion on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ program, Collins Owusu Amankwah, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia North constituency, clarified that there were no instances of abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, or cronyism. He mentioned that Bryan submitted the highest bid, which was slightly over $29 million.

“Even if it was a high purchase, it is lawful in the country… the offer given by Rock City was higher than the rest. With Labadi Beach, Rock City offered twenty-nine million, four hundred thousand dollars; that was the highest bid. The second-highest bid was $18 million,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he has urged critics to refrain from criticizing SSNIT because they did nothing wrong in the transaction.

“We can’t claim to know more than the members of the SSNIT board… are we saying we are wiser than them? Institutions have been mandated to play a specific role, and we have instituti
onal representatives appointed to lead those institutions,” he added.

Source: Ghana Web