Ghana Minute.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 13 September 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

National Health Insurance Scheme

Also known as: NHIS

National Health Insurance Scheme — established under Act 852 in 2012, mandates membership for all residents and covers approximately 95 per cent of disease conditions in Ghana.

2026-04-242026-09-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Daily Guide

    Kariuki noted that only 49% of children under 18 are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme, limiting their access to healthcare.

    ACEPA Launches Caucus On Kids
  3. The Ghanaian Times

    As part of the summit, Dr Bampoe is expected to grant interviews to international media to highlight Ghana’s progress in expanding access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    NHIA boss joins Ghana delegation at AU health summit
  4. Joy Online

    According to her, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund provides financial support for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of chronic non-communicable diseases that are either inadequately covered or not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    Africa can no longer rely on foreign aid for healthcare – Deputy Health Minister
  5. The Ghanaian Times

    He further urged stronger collaboration among the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana and the National Health Insurance Scheme to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and other urological conditions.

    Nation faces acute shortage of urologists — GAUS warn
  6. Joy Online

    Around four months after the book’s publication, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) expanded its coverage to include four childhood cancers – development the author welcomes as an important step forward.

    Ghanaian author’s cancer memoir added to Stanford University library, recognised by US Library of Congress
  7. The Ghanaian Times

    It noted that the government has introduced several health initiatives, including the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to healthcare, and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as

    Prez Mahama to host AU summit on universal health coverage and ending AIDS
  8. Joy Online

    The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced an increase in the tariffs of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), while warning healthcare providers against imposing illegal charges on subscribers.

    Health Minister announces NHIS tariff increment, warns providers over illegal charges
  9. Daily Guide

    The research also urged Ghanaians to enroll on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), noting that while commodities are free, service delivery costs can be reimbursed through NHIS to sustain facilities.

    Family Planning Commodity Crisis Looms As Stakeholders Push For Domestic Financing
  10. Joy Online

    Although the National Health Insurance Scheme helps cover treatment costs, she noted that transportation expenses and other indirect costs continue to prevent many affected residents from accessing care.

    Floods leave a silent health crisis long after the waters recede, experts warn
  11. Joy Online

    Ghana has demonstrated a commitment to the welfare of older persons through the National Ageing Policy and social interventions such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    They carried us through life: Who will carry them now? A call to care for the aged
Society

MoGCSP holds community dialogue on social protection in Teshie

The News

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection held a Community Dialogue Series on Social Protection in Teshie, Ledzokuku Municipality, allowing residents to discuss challenges and access information on government interventions. The Minister noted that social protection is a shared national responsibility requiring active community participation, and pointed to the Social Protection Act 2025 and Social Protection Regulation 2026 as steps toward strengthening coordination and delivery of services.

11 September 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 11 September

  1. MoGCSP holds community dialogue on social protection in Teshie

    The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection held a Community Dialogue Series on Social Protection in Teshie, Ledzokuku Municipality, allowing residents to discuss challenges and access information on government interventions. The Minister noted that social protection is a shared national responsibility requiring active community participation, and pointed to the Social Protection Act 2025 and Social Protection Regulation 2026 as steps toward strengthening coordination and delivery of services.

    11 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Health Minister urges district directors to lead Free Primary Healthcare rollout

    Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has charged District Directors of Health Services to take ownership of implementing the Free Primary Healthcare policy, stating that its success depends on what happens at the district and community levels, and that the policy complements the National Health Insurance Scheme to strengthen preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare.

    11 September 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 10 September

  1. Two men jailed two years for stealing NHIS motorcycle

    The Nsuta Circuit Court in the Sekyere Central District has sentenced Oppong Stephen, 25, a trader, and Samuel Owusu Antwi, 20, a motor mechanic, both of Effiduase, to two years' imprisonment each for stealing a Royal motorcycle valued at GH¢16,000 belonging to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    10 September 2026 · Daily Guide

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Free Primary Healthcare expanded to 135 districts nationwide

    Ghana has expanded its Free Primary Health Care programme to 135 districts across 16 regions through 4,447 health facilities, with a goal of nationwide coverage by 2027. The government has distributed essential equipment, motorbikes and tricycles, and prefabricated health kiosks to support community-level healthcare delivery.

    9 September 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Health Minister warns workers against illegal fees for free primary care

    Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh warned health workers against demanding payment from patients for services covered under the government's Free Primary Healthcare programme, saying those found charging beneficiaries would face investigation and possible sanctions. He urged the public to report health workers demanding illegal payments and clarified that beneficiaries in the 135 districts implementing the programme do not need an active NHIS card to access services.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Vice President meets Ghanaian community in Rwanda, discusses Reset Agenda

    Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang met with Ghanaians in Kigali to discuss their experiences and share updates on government's Reset Agenda, emphasizing progress in stabilizing the economy, investments in road infrastructure, decentralization, and healthcare initiatives including Free Primary Healthcare and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

    26 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Tuesday 25 August

  1. President calls for stronger health regulation amid digital expansion

    President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger and more responsive regulation of Africa's health sector to protect patients as artificial intelligence, telemedicine and cross-border healthcare expand. He said health regulation must keep pace with emerging technologies and that regulators must ensure licensed health professionals are properly trained, assessed, registered and adhere to professional and ethical standards.

    25 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Mahama urges African nations to strengthen health regulation systems

    President John Dramani Mahama called on African countries to strengthen health regulation and collaboration to protect patients and boost public confidence in healthcare systems at the 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa in Accra. He identified emerging challenges including digital health expansion, AI, health professional migration, forged qualifications, and misinformation, and urged regulators to improve cross-border cooperation and establish frameworks for regulating digital health and AI.

    25 August 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Ghana's NHIS levy uncapped to strengthen universal health coverage

    Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme, established under Act 852 in 2012, mandates membership for all residents and covers approximately 95 per cent of disease conditions recorded in Ghana, with vulnerable groups including children under 18 and pregnant women exempted from registration and premium fees.

    19 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. PSGH, NHIS register 900+ vulnerable residents in Upper West

    The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and the NHIS have provided free NHIS registrations and renewals to more than 900 vulnerable residents in the Upper West Region, including students affected by recent disasters at Jirapa Senior High School and residents of the rural community Kamahegu.

    19 August 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 17 August

  1. Ghana pursues five-year plan to reduce medicine import dependence

    President Mahama announced a five-year strategic plan to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce Ghana's reliance on imported medicines, with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in essential drug production and positioning Ghana as a regional supply hub. The plan aims to address Ghana's current dependence on imports for approximately 70 percent of medicines used in the country.

    17 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Ghana plans to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce imports

    President Mahama announced plans to expand Ghana's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with a five-year government plan aimed at reducing dependence on imported medicines, which currently account for about 70 per cent of medicines used in Ghana. The expansion is intended to reduce medicine costs, strengthen the provision of treatment under the Free Primary Health Care programme, and create export opportunities to neighbouring countries.

    17 August 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 16 August

  1. Health Ministry reviews NDC 2024 Manifesto healthcare commitments

    The Ministry of Health began a three-day mid-year review in Ho on initiatives including the Free Primary Healthcare programme, Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCare), NHIS expansion, health facility retooling, specialised nursing programmes, regional hospital construction in six newly created regions, and cataract centres. The review aims to assess progress on government healthcare commitments and identify implementation gaps.

    16 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 14 August

  1. Free Primary Health Care to reach all Ghana districts by 2028

    Ghana's Health Minister announced plans to expand the Free Primary Health Care programme to all 261 districts by end of 2028, beginning with 150 districts prioritising underserved areas. The government will distribute over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment, with about 9,000 kits in the initial phase.

    14 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Mahama outlines five-year plan to boost local medicine production

    President Mahama announced a five-year plan to expand Ghana's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imported medicines, which currently account for 70 per cent of drugs used in the country. The plan, presented by the National Vaccine Institute, Ministry of Health, and Pharmaceutical Association of Ghana, aims to lower medicine costs and enable export to neighbouring countries.

    14 August 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Hepatitis B spreads via contaminated barber blades, tattoo needles

    Contaminated equipment reused without proper sterilisation in barbering, tattooing, and circumcision can expose people to Hepatitis B through infected blood, warns the Programme Manager of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme.

    14 August 2026 · The Chronicle

  4. NHIA releases GH¢35.1 million for Free Primary Healthcare services

    The National Health Insurance Authority has released GH¢35,099,215.84 as first-quarter payment to 107 districts implementing the Free Primary Healthcare programme, launched in April, which allocates resources based on population size to provide preventive care at community level alongside the existing NHIS.

    14 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Thursday 13 August

  1. NHIA releases GH¢35.1m to 107 districts for Free Primary Healthcare

    The National Health Insurance Authority has released GH¢35.1 million to 107 districts implementing the Free Primary Healthcare programme, launched in April 2026 to provide predictable resources for preventive and community-level healthcare services including health screenings, maternal and child healthcare, and immunisations.

    13 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. NHIA implements 50% NHIS tariff rise, launches digital claims verification

    The National Health Insurance Authority has begun phased implementation of revised service tariffs starting with a 50 per cent increase in August 2026, with full rollout by October. The move aims to improve provider reimbursement and healthcare delivery; the NHIA is also introducing the One-Time Attendance Code, a digital system to verify patient attendance and reduce claims fraud, currently being piloted in Ahafo and Western North Regions.

    13 August 2026 · Joy Online

  3. NHIA launches campaign to raise active NHIS membership to 80%

    The National Health Insurance Authority has launched the '80 Campaign' to increase active NHIS membership from 70 per cent to 80 per cent by the end of 2026, supporting Ghana's Universal Health Coverage agenda through community mobilisation, public education and targeted outreach. The Authority has also increased service tariffs to healthcare providers by 50 per cent and reaffirmed that there is no co-payment policy under the Scheme.

    13 August 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Air pollution from urban congestion kills thousands annually in Ghana

    Air pollution is estimated to contribute to 35,000 premature deaths in Ghana every year, with urban planners and public-health experts attributing a major driver to poor city design that concentrates essential services in one location, forcing lengthy commutes and gridlock.

    13 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Government clears 2025 SSNIT pension arrears, pays advance

    The government has cleared all outstanding pension contributions to SSNIT for 2025 and paid GH₵156 million in advance towards January 2026 obligations, improving the Trust's cash flow and supporting financial sustainability for over 265,000 pensioners.

    12 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. SSNIT targets 2.8 million active members by 2028

    The Social Security and National Insurance Trust is aiming to reach 2.8 million active members by 2028 as it expands pension coverage to workers in both formal and informal sectors, responding to changing employment patterns in Ghana.

    12 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Monday 10 August

  1. SDA Church offers partnership to complete Agenda 111 hospitals

    Ghana Adventist Health Services has committed to partner the government to complete Agenda 111 hospital projects, proposing support in trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. The Health Minister stressed that government partnerships with faith-based and private sector organisations are essential to meeting the country's healthcare needs.

    10 August 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Zipline seeks expanded role in Ghana's free healthcare rollout

    Zipline Ghana is in discussions with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies on how to better leverage its drone delivery network to support the nationwide rollout of free primary healthcare. The company, which has completed more than 800,000 commercial deliveries since 2019 and delivered 4.6 million medical products to over 3,000 health facilities, says its model shifts distribution from forecast-based to demand-based, reducing stockouts and waste.

    4 August 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. Gold Fields Foundation provides free health screening to Awudua residents

    The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation held a free health outreach in Awudua on July 25, 2026, offering medical screening, diagnostics, and treatment services as part of its quarterly HEAL Programme, with 180 people screened for Hepatitis B and comprehensive services including eye care, dental screening, and NHIS registration.

    4 August 2026 · The Chronicle

  3. Sports Minister urges PR professionals to anchor careers on trust

    Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams has told aspiring public relations professionals to build their careers on trust, integrity and sound judgment, emphasizing that credibility remains the profession's greatest asset despite technological change. Speaking at the 6th World PR Day Festival in Accra, Adams drew on his experience as spokesperson to former President Jerry John Rawlings to stress that effective communication requires listening, understanding public sentiment, and knowing when and what to communicate.

    4 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 31 July

  1. Gold Fields Ghana Foundation expands healthcare access in Awudua

    Over 260 residents of Awudua and surrounding communities in the Western Region renewed or registered their NHIS cards during a free medical outreach organised by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in partnership with Unilever Ghana and Diagnostic Centre Limited. The outreach also provided free screening for Hepatitis B, HIV, tuberculosis and other health conditions, with the HEAL Programme costing over GH¢452,000 to implement.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. NHIA disburses GH¢219.8m in healthcare claims nationwide

    The National Health Insurance Authority has disbursed GH¢219.84 million to credentialed healthcare providers, comprising outstanding claims from previous years and vetted claims for services provided up to May 2026. The disbursement brings total claims paid this year to nearly GH¢1.2 billion, with private healthcare providers receiving 44.69 per cent, public facilities 36.78 per cent, and mission and faith-based facilities 18.53 per cent of the allocation.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 30 July

  1. NHIA disburses GHS219.8 million to healthcare providers

    The National Health Insurance Authority paid GHS219.8 million to credentialed healthcare providers on July 1, 2026, covering a backlog of claims from previous years and vetted claims through May 2026. The payment, which brings 2026 total claims disbursed to nearly GHS1.2 billion, was distributed across private facilities (GHS98.24 million), public facilities (GHS80.86 million), and mission and faith-based facilities (GHS40.70 million).

    30 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

National Health Insurance Scheme — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute