Akufo-Addo administration left GH¢1bn NHIS balance, not debts – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has rejected claims that the previous administration left debts within the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), insisting instead that the government led by Nana Akufo-Addo handed over the scheme with a financial surplus.

According to the caucus, the former government left behind about GH¢1 billion to cover claims owed to healthcare providers nationwide under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, March 10, Ayew Afriyie, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, said the current leadership of the National Health Insurance Authority did not inherit any outstanding debts from the previous administration.

Dr. Afriyie explained that debts accumulated between 2021 and 2023, amounting to GH¢2.4 billion, had already been settled before the change in government. He noted that the payments were made in three instalments of GH¢800 million each by the Controller and Accountant-General.

He emphasised that these payments were publicly known and not carried out secretly, urging stakeholders to avoid turning issues surrounding the national health insurance scheme into political debates.

Dr. Afriyie also argued that the existence of a GH¢1 billion balance contradicts suggestions that the NHIA was left with unpaid obligations.

He added that the remaining funds were subsequently used to settle claims covering the months of November, December, January, and February.

According to him, the previous administration under the New Patriotic Party left the NHIA in a stable financial condition, maintaining that the surplus demonstrated the scheme’s sound financial position at the time of transition.