The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Ghana has launched an initiative to train senior high school students as ambassadors of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This effort aims to increase public awareness and advance Universal Health Coverage in Ghana. The initiative, implemented through an inter-school Health Literacy Quiz Competition, equips students with knowledge about the NHIS and encourages them to educate their families and communities on the importance of health insurance.
The inter-school competition, organised by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NHIA, was held on November 6, 2026, at the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School auditorium. A senior management official of the NHIA, Abdul Karim Nantogmah, stated that the programme forms part of the Authority's efforts to improve public understanding of the scheme. The competition aims to groom students to serve as worthy and active ambassadors of the NHIS in their communities.
The NHIS, established in 2003 and operationalised in 2004, was intended to improve access to healthcare and reduce financial barriers to medical services. According to Nantogmah, achieving Universal Health Coverage remains a major priority for the Authority, with efforts focused on increasing enrolment and ensuring that more people benefit from the scheme. The NHIS covers more than 95 percent of disease conditions recorded in Ghana, making it an important component of the country's healthcare financing system.
Three schools participated in the Upper East Regional competition: Zebila Senior High/Technical School, Navrongo Senior High School, and Sirigu Integrated Senior High School. Zebila Senior High/Technical School emerged as the winner, with Navrongo Senior High School placing second and Sirigu Integrated Senior High School finishing third. Awards and prizes were presented to the participating schools and students in recognition of their performances.
The NHIA expects the competition to strengthen students' understanding of health insurance and encourage them to share information about the scheme with their peers, families, and communities. By expanding public awareness and enrolment, the Authority aims to improve access to healthcare services. The initiative is part of the NHIA's efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure that all residents in Ghana benefit from the NHIS.
The competition is one of the NHIA's strategies to increase public awareness and promote the NHIS. By engaging senior high school students, the Authority hopes to reach a wider audience and encourage more people to enrol in the scheme. The NHIA believes that this initiative will contribute to the country's progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The NHIA's initiative has received attention from various stakeholders, including the media and the public. The competition has been reported by local media outlets, including A1 Radio, which provided coverage of the event. The NHIA's efforts to promote the NHIS and increase public awareness have been welcomed by the public, who see the importance of health insurance in accessing healthcare services.
Key points
- The NHIA's initiative aims to increase public awareness and advance Universal Health Coverage in Ghana through an inter-school quiz competition.
- The competition seeks to equip students with knowledge about the NHIS and encourage them to educate their families and communities on the importance of health insurance.
- The NHIA expects the competition to strengthen students' understanding of health insurance and encourage them to share information about the scheme with their peers, families, and communities.
