NHIA Central Region Boss seeks royal backing to boost health insurance coverage

The management of the Central Region National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), led by its Acting Regional Director, Mr. Kojo Sekyere Koi Thompson, has paid a courtesy call on the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Dr. Kwesi Atta II, at the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast.

The meeting, held on Monday, July 20, 2026, afforded the Acting Regional Director the opportunity to officially introduce himself and his management team, and to brief the Traditional Council on the activities of the Authority.

Outlining the purpose of the visit, Mr. Koi Thompson said it was customary and incumbent on him to formally introduce himself to the traditional ruler and his cabinet. “I have been in the region for barely a year now,” he said, adding that “the complexities and exigencies of the job prevented me from paying the courtesy call earlier.”

A key highlight of his address was his appreciation for the enabling environment in which he had operated over the past year. “For the past year, I have not been harassed as an unknown entity. I commend your leadership for creating a cordial atmosphere for all to thrive,” he said.

In response, the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Council thanked Mr. Thompson and his team for the visit. He, however, urged them to give of their best, stressing that health is paramount to national development. “A healthy people build a healthy nation, and your contribution to this drive is important,” he said, drawing applause from the gathering.

On health education and promotion within the Oguaa State, the traditional ruler encouraged the NHIA management to prioritize preventive health education as a core objective in its efforts to promote healthy living and drive insurance enrollment. In his view, this could help prevent many of the diseases affecting the people.

Furthermore, Osabarima observed that many Ghanaians do not appreciate insurance, noting that some find it culturally offensive when encouraged to insure their lives. “People must be educated on the importance of insurance — not necessarily against death, but to make them aware of the protective cushion it offers in difficult times,” the traditional ruler advised.

He appealed to the NHIA management to organize a card registration exercise for all his 42 sub-chiefs and to brief them on new developments within the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Osabarima assured the NHIA management of his continued support, and that of his 42 sub-chiefs, to help the Authority achieve its objective of improving health access within the traditional area and the region at large.

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