NHIA opens new office in Komenda to improve access to health insurance services

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has opened a new office in Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality, in a move aimed at bringing health insurance services closer to residents and supporting the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.

The new office was officially inaugurated on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Central Regional Director of the NHIA, Mr. Kojo Sekyere Koi Thompson, described the National Health Insurance Scheme as an important financial safety net that protects citizens from the burden of paying for healthcare out of pocket.

He said holding a valid NHIA card gives residents access to healthcare without having to depend on chiefs, politicians, assembly members, religious leaders or family members for financial assistance when they fall ill.

Mr. Thompson explained that the decision to establish the Komenda office was largely influenced by the difficulties residents faced in travelling to Elmina to renew their membership cards.

“The idea behind this office is to reduce the distance people must travel just to renew an expired card,” he said.

He added that the new facility would improve geographical access to NHIA services by allowing residents to register, renew their membership and access other services within Komenda.

“We seek to provide geographical coverage so people can register, renew, and access insurance services right here in Komenda. This is part of the Universal Health Coverage programme,” he stressed.

Mr. Thompson noted that although membership renewal costs only GH¢5, residents previously had to spend between GH¢10 and GH¢50 on transportation to travel from Komenda to Elmina.

“It was a great disincentive, and the MP and other well-meaning indigenes thought it wise to help establish this office to ease the burden on constituents,” he said.

NHIA Clears Outstanding Claims

Touching on the financial position of the scheme, Mr. Thompson said the previous policy of capping budgetary allocations to the NHIA had been abolished under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

He said the development had enabled the Authority to mobilise additional resources to settle outstanding claims owed to accredited healthcare providers across the country, including facilities in Komenda.

“From January to July this year, the Authority has released GH¢1.46 billion to pay health facilities across the country,” he disclosed.

“In July alone, GH¢245 million was released to pay all affiliated facilities providing healthcare to Ghanaians,” he added.

The Acting Regional Director urged residents to renew their NHIA membership cards on time to avoid interruptions in their coverage.

Free Primary Healthcare

Mr. Thompson also highlighted the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative, saying President Mahama had allocated GH¢35.1 million to strengthen preventive healthcare.

He explained that the programme would allow health professionals stationed at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds to undertake outreach activities, including house-to-house screening.

“You don't have to fall sick to benefit from this. Health professionals stationed at CHPS compounds will move from house to house to check blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and eyesight,” he said.

According to him, the initiative is intended to improve the general wellbeing of citizens while helping to reduce the prevalence and impact of non-communicable diseases.

Traditional Council Welcomes Facility

The Paramount Chief of the Komenda Traditional Area, Okatakyi Komeh VIII, represented by his linguist, described the establishment of the NHIA office as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the traditional council.

He expressed gratitude to God for the realisation of the project and thanked the Member of Parliament and the District Chief Executive for their support.

The Member of Parliament for KEEA, Hon. Samuel Atta Mills, also urged constituents to pay greater attention to their dietary habits, noting that what people eat has a direct impact on their health.

He further encouraged parents to take proper care of their children and cautioned residents about the rising incidence of HIV infections, particularly as the community prepares for its festival celebrations.

MP Pledges to Pay NHIA Fees

As part of his contribution towards improving healthcare access, Hon. Atta Mills pledged to pay the cost of new NHIA registrations and membership renewals for constituents within the following week.

“This is my contribution to ensure that my people are able to access proper healthcare without any financial barriers,” he said.

The opening of the NHIA office is expected to ease the burden on residents who previously travelled to Elmina for insurance-related services and bring health insurance coverage closer to communities in the Komenda area.

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