Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Pesse
THE Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Sampson K. Boafo, has appealed to traditional rulers to encourage all members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to re-register, even if they did not use up their benefits in the past.
He said although they might not have used up their benefits under the scheme before it expired because of their good health, they had to renew their membership in order for them to enjoy quality and affordable health care in case the unexpected happened.
Mr Boafo said this in an address read on his behalf at the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, Kamenahene of the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region at Pesse last Saturday.
“When the health insurance cards of some people expire and they had not attended hospital the previous year, they are reluctant to renew the cards. They wrongly believe they have wasted their money,” the minister said.
“Just as a vehicle insurance has to be renewed yearly, so is the membership of the health insurance scheme. When you fail to renew your membership and you unfortunately fall sick, you may not get help,” he stated.
The event was used to launch an educational endowment fund initiated by Otwasuom Nyampong to support needy students from the area, as well as honour some hard-working teachers and students of senior and junior high schools.
It was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu; the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations; Mr Ntow Bediako, District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman; Mr Ransford Tetteh, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Editor of theh Daily Graphic and Mr William Ampem-Darko, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
According to the minister, despite the fact that the scope of the scheme had been broadened to include many illnesses , the lies being peddled by some people had discouraged others from renewing their cards, while others had decided not to register at all.
“This unfortunate lie that the scheme covers only headaches and some few illnesses is not correct,” Mr Boafo stated, and called on the people to consult the nearest NHIS office in their communities for advice.
Dwelling on chieftaincy disputes, Mr Boafo said as part of efforts to curb conflicts in the country, Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution enjoined chiefs to voluntarily co-operate with the Ministry by keeping proper documentation of customary laws, lines of succession, and the selection of suitable candidates from eligible royal families who would be acceptable to the people.
“All these steps, when carefully and honestly applied, will eliminate conflicts and ensure that the most eligible and suitable candidate is duly selected, enstooled and accepted by all stakeholders,” he stressed.
For his part, Mr Affram Asiedu called on chiefs in the region to co-operate with the Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture to resolve the various chieftaincy disputes that had plagued the region.
Mr Ampem-Darko entreated the media to be responsible in the discharge of their duties and strive to abide by the ethics of the profession, particularly as the December elections drew nearer.
Making reference to the Rwanda and Burundi genocide, he reminded the media that any unprofessional conduct on their part could plunge the country into chaos and, therefore, asked them to help educate the people on their civic responsibilities.
Otwasuom Nyampong highlighted some of his achievements since his enstoolment 25 years ago, which included the construction of a community library, a community centre and a palace.
He called on parents and guardians to give priority to the education of their children and wards to ensure the rapid development of the area.
The chief also called on all members of the community to motivate teachers who were posted to the area to enable them to give their best.
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