The Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of its official working visit to the Ashanti Region.
The delegation was led by the Board Chairman, Lawrence Nii Okantey Adjetey, Esq., and included Dr. Bernadette Naa Hoffman, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Mr. Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, Dr. Ken Kwaku Tweneboah Koduah, Mr. Pious Kwame Nkuah, and the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe.
Also present were Ms. Francisca Atuluk, Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams, Mr. Harold Boateng, the Board Secretary, Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah, the Corporate Affairs Director, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Muntaka, the Ashanti Regional Director, and other officials.
Receiving the delegation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended the Board and Management of the NHIA for their efforts to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and expand access to healthcare across the country.
He also expressed appreciation for the Authority’s gesture in acknowledging his birthday and instituting special free registration and renewal initiatives in his honour. The initiative has been christened the “King’s Month”.
“The National Health Insurance Authority was instituted to provide financial security for people when they fall sick and do not have money to pay at the point of use,” he said.
He acknowledged that while government may not be able to absorb all healthcare costs, it was encouraging that coverage continues to expand to include complex and expensive conditions such as dialysis.
The Asantehene also noted improvements in claims payments, particularly for pharmaceutical suppliers and credentialed healthcare facilities, describing this as a positive step toward better healthcare delivery.
He, however, urged the Authority to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to address illegal charges and fraudulent claims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.
“The NHIS means a lot to the poor, who can hardly pay for healthcare out of pocket. You must intensify efforts to seal all loopholes for illegal claims and charges to sustain the Scheme,” he advised.
In support of the NHIA’s initiatives, Otumfuo pledged to ensure that all persons within the Manhyia Palace who are not registered or have inactive memberships enrol or renew their membership.
“I will personally supervise the exercise,” he stated.
He expressed gratitude to the delegation and reaffirmed his continued support for efforts to improve healthcare delivery and access across the country.
Board Chair
Addressing the Asantehene, Mr. Adjetey expressed profound appreciation for the audience granted to the Board, describing it as a rare privilege.
He noted that the NHIA is mandated to ensure that funds allocated for healthcare are used judiciously and for their intended purposes.
He added that although the current management has been in office for a relatively short time, it has begun making a significant impact under the leadership of Dr. Bampoe.
Mr. Adjetey indicated that longstanding concerns about delays in claims payments are being addressed, with notable improvements recorded.
The Board Chairman commended the Asantehene for his exemplary leadership and contributions to national development, particularly in health and education, and expressed confidence that his counsel would further strengthen the work of the Authority.
CEO
Dr. Asare Bampoe said the visit was not only to pay homage but also to seek the Asantehene’s guidance and blessings to strengthen the delivery of the NHIA’s mandate.
“We came here purposely for our Board meeting and to engage with National Health Insurance Authority staff on operational and welfare issues, but we thought it prudent, as usual, to come to the feet of our great King, Otumfuo, to pay homage and seek his blessing, wisdom, guidance, and advice to enhance the work that we are doing,” Dr. Bampoe said.
He noted that the Asantehene had consistently demonstrated a deep interest and passion for health and education issues, making his counsel invaluable to the Authority.
Dr. Bampoe further disclosed that during a previous visit, the Authority had engaged the Asantehene on challenges such as illegal charges and fraudulent claims within the health insurance system.
He said the advice received from the Asantehene had been instrumental in addressing those challenges and improving operations.
“We came again to thank him for the guidance he gave us, which has been very helpful, and to seek further direction,” he said.
Dr. Bampoe highlighted the recently launched Free Primary Healthcare Programme by President John Dramani Mahama, noting that the NHIA is playing a central role in its implementation.
He explained that the programme is anchored on prevention, health promotion, and strengthened curative services, with a focus on delivering care at the community level.
The Kings Month
Dr. Bampoe also announced a special initiative dubbed “King’s Month,” instituted in honour of the Asantehene’s birthday on May 6.
He said the initiative also recognises the Asantehene’s longstanding commitment to health and marks his birth month and the 27th anniversary of his ascension to the Golden Stool.
He explained that throughout May, NHIS registrations and renewals in the Ashanti Region will be undertaken free of charge, with the one-month waiting period waived to allow immediate access to benefits.
The initiative, which targets about one million people, is expected to significantly boost enrolment and improve access to healthcare services in the region.
