The Chief of Sefwi-Boinzan, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, who also serves as the Kontihene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western North Region, has showered glowing commendations on the Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe for his exemplary leadership and hard work. He praised Dr. Bampoe for what he described as an impactful and transformative start to his tenure.

He made the commendation when Dr. Bampoe, leading a high-powered NHIA delegation, paid homage to the Chief as part of his working tour of the region on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. His working visit to the Western North Region is part of his week-long tour of four key regions—Ahafo, Western, Western North, and Central—aimed at deepening engagement with NHIA staff and stakeholders.

Dr. Bampoe was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Administration and Human Resource, Mr Raphael Segkpeb; Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, Oswald Essuah-Mensah; Acting Director of Claims, Dr. Abigail Derkyi-Kwarteng Codjoe; Acting Director of Membership and Regional Operations, Sebastian Alagpulinsa; and Head of Corporate Communications, Faustina Dery.

The visit also sought to assess operations at regional and district levels, while galvanising support for strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and advancing key government policies in health, such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the Free Primary Healthcare Policy. Nana Ofori Ahenkan II also expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for entrusting such a critical national institution into the hands of a leader who, in his words, has already demonstrated vision, courage, and results-oriented leadership.

“Strongest Cheerleader”

“I congratulate you, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, on your appointment as Chief Executive of the NHIA. Your hard work and the impact you have made within this short period affirm that the President did not make a mistake in choosing you to lead at this crucial time,” the Chief said. Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, who has become a vocal advocate for health reforms in his region, described himself as Dr. Bampoe’s “strongest cheerleader,” noting that the CEO’s achievements reflect not only personal commitment but also alignment with the government’s broader health policies.

He singled out the government’s decision to uncap the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL)—a move spearheaded by President Mahama, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health, and Dr. Bampoe—as one of the most decisive interventions to revitalise the NHIS. He lauded Dr. Bampoe for sanctioning a recent clinical audit at the Akim Oda Government Hospital, which uncovered fraudulent claims and compelled the facility to refund GH¢312,413.51 to the Authority. Such decisive actions, he emphasized, send a strong signal that malpractice will no longer be tolerated.

Equally praiseworthy, the Chief noted, is the establishment of the Co-Payment Taskforce, which is aggressively investigating and recommending solutions to help curb illegal fees often imposed on NHIS members by credentialed facilities. “If we did not have such an able leader like Dr. Bampoe, these gains would have been lost to the detriment of the Scheme and its members,” he remarked.

“We thank you, Doctor, for all the efforts you are making—many of which you might not even realise—but we who are observing can clearly see the good work you are doing. I am optimistic that your leadership prowess will take you to greater heights in your career, and we will continue to express our gratitude. “We especially thank you for bringing the operations of the NHIS, and by extension access to healthcare, closer to us through the construction of a district office at AdaboKrom, which will be manned by people from the area.

“Looking at the current government’s vision, two key flagship programmes—the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) and the Free Primary Healthcare Policy—are being pursued to complement the NHIS in delivering end-to-end healthcare for all Ghanaians, in the spirit of Universal Health Coverage. With the strong support and input of the NHIA, I am confident these initiatives will be highly successful. Please continue your good works in making healthcare accessible to all,” he said.

Nana Ofori Ahenkan II appealed to Dr Bampoe and his team to consider retooling and facilitating these offices with the necessary infrastructure. “Given the hard work being done by the scheme offices—often under difficult conditions such as bad roads—they require good means of transport to carry out their duties effectively. This is a personal appeal to you.

The Chief pledged the full support of the traditional council to the NHIA’s mission. “As my son, my doors are always open to you. You need no protocols to approach me,” he told Dr. Bampoe, assuring him of his unwavering backing in mobilising communities to renew their membership and strengthen the Scheme.

Gratitude

In acknowledging the Chief’s support, Dr. Bampoe expressed heartfelt gratitude to Nana Ofori Ahenkan II for being his “greatest cheerleader.” He pledged to adopt the Western North Region as his “indigenous home” and to consider all the appeals made during the meeting. “I ask that from today you take me as your son and younger brother. I will call on you often for advice, because, as you rightly said, a person charting a path might not always know or see when the path behind him is crooked.

“Nana, I have accepted all your requests. I have also adopted the Western North Region as my indigenous home. From today, I proudly say I hail from Western North. Apart from you being my father, my sector Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, also comes from this region—making my bond with this land even stronger.

The NHIA boss reaffirmed his commitment to working hand-in-hand with traditional leaders to strengthen the NHIS and support the government’s flagship health initiatives During the tour, Dr. Bampoe highlighted three priorities guiding the Authority's work under his leadership, aligned with President John Dramani Mahama's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) vision.

These priorities include supporting the delivery of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Care) and the Free Primary Healthcare for All policy, enhancing staff welfare, and eliminating illegal charges and fraudulent claims under the NHIS.

Source: DOREEN ANDOH

Pictures: BY ISAAC HAGAN & EBENEZER DANSO