Prof Akosa: One Time NHIS Premium Payment Is An Illusion

Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa, a leading member of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), has stated that the one time premium payment of the National Health Insurance that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is considering to pursue is an “illusion”. He told journalists at a press conference that “I still stand on my word that the NHIS cannot be efficient if beneficiaries are to pay only once.” Prof Akosa said the NDC’s move to make Ghanaians pay health insurance only once in their lifetime was not feasible and that his research nationwide had proved so. Prof. Agyemang Akorsa, the Shadow Health Minister of the CPP, explained that currently only three percent of the about 65 per cent registered insured Ghanaians pay the full levy of the Health Insurance premium. He said “a whooping 62 per cent pay little or nothing due to age, work and other related factors.” Prof Akosa said the government should rather put up effective strategies to see an influential health insurance scheme in the country and stop playing politics with the scheme. Prof .Agyemang Akorsa expressed regret that the country was yet to witness total transformation after the 28 years of rule by both the NDC and New Patriotic Party and added that a vote for the CPP to power would mean a new generation of change and development for the nation.