The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commissioned a new regional office in Kadjebi in the Oti Region as part of efforts to strengthen its operations, improve service delivery and expand access to National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) services.
The facility was commissioned on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, who called on staff to translate the investment in infrastructure and logistics into improved performance and increased membership enrolment.
Addressing staff and stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony, Dr Bampoe disclosed that despite the region’s estimated population of 649,000, only slightly more than 225,000 people were enrolled in the NHIS as of the end of September 2026.
Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, CEO, NHIA
He therefore urged staff to intensify membership mobilisation, encourage renewals and adopt innovative approaches to ensure more residents benefit from the Scheme.
Dr Bampoe acknowledged that poor telecommunications connectivity, inadequate road networks and the scattered nature of communities across the region continued to pose challenges to enrolment and service delivery.
To address some of these difficulties, he announced that the NHIA would undertake another round of its Operation Market Storm campaign in November. The initiative is aimed at expanding registration in densely populated communities and markets.
He also encouraged staff to promote the use of the Authority’s digital platforms and strengthen outreach programmes, including NHIS at Your Doorstep and the One-Time Attendance Code (OTAC), to make services more accessible to residents.
“Every member interaction is an opportunity to build public confidence in the NHIS,” he said, emphasising the need for staff to make trust-building and the protection of members’ interests central to their daily responsibilities.
The NHIA Chief Executive expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the NHIA Board for their support towards the completion of the facility.
He also acknowledged the previous administration for initiating the project.
The Chairman of the NHIA Board, Mr Larry Adjetey, Esq., described the new office as a demonstration of the Authority’s commitment to improving service delivery in the Oti Region, which was created as part of Ghana’s regional reorganisation.
He urged staff to treat NHIS members with respect, courtesy and professionalism, stressing that the quality of service provided by frontline personnel was essential to building public confidence in the Scheme.
Mr Adjetey also encouraged residents to enrol in and patronise the NHIS, while urging them to hold the Authority accountable for the quality of services it provides.
In a statement read on his behalf by Presidential Staffer Mr Sulemana Momoni, the Oti Regional Minister, Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, said inadequate office accommodation had been a major challenge for public institutions since the region’s creation.
He noted that several government institutions had been compelled to operate from rented premises because of the shortage of suitable office facilities.
Mr Gyapong commended the NHIA for providing a befitting office to support its operations in the region and called on management to ensure the facility was properly maintained.
He further urged the Authority to use the improved working environment to increase NHIS enrolment and deliver more efficient services to residents.
The Oti Regional Director of the NHIA, Mr Julius Nelimor, expressed gratitude to the Board and management for completing the project in less than a year.
He disclosed that the region had also received a fibre boat to help extend NHIS services to island communities and other hard-to-reach areas.
According to him, the new office represents “a symbol of growth, stability and hope” for the Authority’s operations in the region.
Mr Nelimor said the facility would improve operational efficiency, boost staff morale and strengthen supervision, ultimately contributing to better service delivery.
He assured management and stakeholders that staff in the region remained committed to maintaining the facility and ensuring that residents could access affordable, quality healthcare through the NHIS.
The delegation at the commissioning ceremony included Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Health; Mr Harold Boateng, Board Secretary; Ms Francisca Atuluk, Director of Social Protection at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; Mr Oswald Essuah-Mensah, Director of Corporate Affairs; and Mr Raymond Avinu, Director of Administration.
Others were Ms Nina Amoah-Buabeng, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive; Ms Faustina Dery, Head of Communications; Mr Louis Lawerteh, Deputy Director of Administration; Ms Victoria Hyde-Antwi, Senior Manager of the Protocol Unit; and Ms Victoria Akita, Acting Manager at the Board Secretariat.
The commissioning of the new office is expected to strengthen the NHIA’s administrative capacity in the Oti Region and support efforts to expand NHIS coverage, particularly among residents of remote and underserved communities.
By 1960news.com
