Residents of Nuba in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region have benefited from an extended free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration and renewal exercise aimed at improving access to healthcare and helping more people obtain or maintain active membership.
The initiative was organised by the Assembly Member for the Nuba Electoral Area, Emmanuel Kwasie Amihere, popularly known as Ghanaman, with support from the Member of Parliament for Jomoro and Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Initially planned as a one-day exercise, the programme was extended to two days during its second phase to accommodate more residents seeking to register for the first time, renew their memberships or replace lost and damaged NHIS cards.
The extension provided additional time for residents who might otherwise have missed the opportunity to complete the registration process. It also helped address practical challenges associated with accessing NHIS services, particularly for community members who may face financial or logistical difficulties.
Figures from the exercise show that the initiative attracted considerable participation across its two phases, with residents making use of the opportunity to secure or update their health insurance membership.
During the first phase, 75 people registered for the NHIS for the first time, while 80 renewed their memberships. Another 15 residents replaced their cards, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 170.
Participation increased during the second phase. A total of 133 residents registered for the first time, 70 renewed their memberships and 50 replaced lost or damaged cards.
The second phase therefore recorded 253 beneficiaries, bringing the combined number of people served across both phases to 423.
The figures indicate that first-time registration remained an important component of the intervention, while renewals and card replacements also accounted for a substantial number of beneficiaries.
For residents whose memberships had expired or whose cards were missing or damaged, the exercise offered an opportunity to address those issues without having to organise separate visits for the services.
The NHIS is an important part of Ghana’s efforts to improve access to healthcare by helping members obtain covered services without paying the full cost of eligible treatment at the point of use. Maintaining valid membership is therefore important for people who depend on the scheme when seeking care. Corrections Policy
However, the benefits available to individual members depend on the scheme’s applicable rules, the services covered and the status of their membership.
Speaking about the initiative, Assembly Member Emmanuel Kwasie Amihere expressed appreciation to Dorcas Affo-Toffey and the Municipal Chief Executive, Benedict Boadi, for their continued support for the people of Nuba.
According to him, the support provided by the two leaders contributed to the extension of the exercise, allowing more residents to benefit from the programme.
He said the intervention had brought relief to community members, particularly those who might otherwise have experienced difficulties accessing registration, renewal and card replacement services.
Mr Amihere commended the MP and the MCE for their commitment to the welfare of residents and expressed hope that similar interventions would be organised in the future.
He also encouraged residents who benefited from the exercise to make effective use of their NHIS membership by seeking medical attention when necessary rather than delaying treatment because of concerns about accessing healthcare.
His appeal highlights the importance of ensuring that registration drives translate into practical benefits for residents. Enrolment alone does not guarantee that people will seek care when needed, making public education about membership and access to covered services equally important.
Beyond the immediate registration figures, the initiative demonstrates how collaboration between local representatives and municipal authorities can help bring public services closer to communities.
Assembly members often serve as a link between residents and local authorities, helping identify needs and coordinate interventions. Support from constituency representatives and municipal officials can also help such initiatives reach people who might otherwise struggle to access them.
For Nuba, the extension of the exercise created an additional opportunity for residents to regularise their NHIS membership and improve their preparedness for future healthcare needs.
Mr Amihere reiterated his commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to introduce more development-oriented initiatives in the Nuba Electoral Area. Editorial Standards
While the registration exercise addresses an important access barrier, sustained improvements will also depend on residents maintaining their memberships and being able to access quality healthcare when required.
The reported participation across the two phases provides a measure of the initiative’s reach. With 423 beneficiaries recorded, the exercise has helped more residents register, renew their membership or replace their cards.
The organisers hope that continued cooperation among community leaders and local authorities will support further interventions aimed at improving residents’ welfare and access to essential services.