Gov't begins free NHIS registration for School Feeding beneficiary pupils

The Government of Ghana has begun the free National Health Insurance registration of all school children under Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).

The initiative according to the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Freda Prempeh is to provide free quality healthcare for the school children.

Speaking at the 5th Africa Day of the School Feeding Programme held at Nkonsia in the Wenchi Municipality, the Deputy Minister said the NHIS registration will cover all the about three million Ghanaian children benefiting from the feeding programme.

The celebration was under the theme: "One Meal, Many Benefits" and was attended by Chiefs, opinion and religious leaders, Ministers of state, parents and school children.

Mrs. Freda Prempeh praised President NanaAddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Government for reviving the NHIS and injecting more capital in it.

She said the NHIS was virtually collapsed under the previous government due to huge indebtedness resulting in non-payment of claims to service providers.

Mrs. Freda Prempeh also a Member of Parliament and Aspirant for Tano North Constituency lauded Nana Addo for resourcing the scheme and making it more attractive and accessible again.

A team of officials from the Bono Regional NHIA Secretariat led by Mr. George Oppong Dankwa registered all the children present at the 5th Africa Day of the School Feeding celebration onto the NHIS. They were issued with instant NHIA cards.

Mr. Oppong Dankwa lauded the ruling Government for procuring new vehicles for NHIS operations across the country.

He revealed that the Government has also provided new high speed registration machines all NHIA offices for the issuance of instant registration cards.

Mr. Oppong Dankwa said the Government has also introduced mobile renewal of NHIS system to ensure effective card renewal.

The Paramount Queen Mother of Wenchi Traditional Area, Nana Atoaa Sraman Gyedua III who was also the Chairperson for the occasion lauded the School Feeding Programme concept.

She said that, the programme has benefited several hundreds of deprived children in her traditional area and thus prayed for its sustainability and expansion.

Nana Hemaa Sraman Gyedua III who sees education as the single most important legacy for her people, appealed passionately to the Minister for Gender and the National Coordinator of GSFP to add 10 more schools in the Wenchi Municipality to the feeding programme.

In reaction to the appeal by the Queen Mother, the National Coordinator of GSFP, Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah assured of forwarding her request to the appropriate authority for consideration.

She also appealed to the communities to produce more local foods for supply to the caterers and also improve the local economy.

The Management of GSFP presented hundreds of plastic bowls, metal spoons, biscuits and fruit drinks to all the children who participated in the celebration.

The 5th Africa Day of School Feeding celebration was supported by the World Food Programme.