The Banda District in Ghana's Bono Region has finally got its first National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) office, 14 years after the district was created. The new office, located at Banda-Ahenkro, was commissioned on October 5, 2026, and will provide residents with easy access to National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) services. This development is expected to bring relief to residents who previously had to travel long distances to neighboring districts to access NHIS services.
The absence of an NHIA office in the district had created significant difficulties for residents, with some reportedly spending more than three days trying to register or renew their NHIS cards. Residents previously had to travel for up to four hours to access NHIS services in neighboring districts such as Wenchi and Nsawkaw. The new office is expected to reduce the challenges associated with traveling outside the district and improve access to health insurance services for residents.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, who commissioned the facility, has charged staff to intensify their outreach activities and work towards achieving at least 80 percent active membership coverage in the district within the next six months. This target is part of a broader national directive by the NHIA to achieve an 80 percent active membership threshold across districts as the country works towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The newly constructed two-storey office complex was funded through the MP Health Insurance Fund allocation of the Member of Parliament for Banda and Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim. The project aims to bring NHIS registration and renewal services closer to residents and improve access to health insurance services.
To improve outreach to communities in remote areas, Mr. Ibrahim donated a vehicle and two motorbikes to the new office to enable NHIS personnel to reach residents who may otherwise struggle to access the facility. The MP Health Insurance Fund has also supported the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in various parts of the district.
Mr. Ibrahim further disclosed that plans are advanced to construct accommodation for NHIS personnel and other government workers as part of efforts to attract and retain public servants in the district. He appealed to traditional authorities, residents, and particularly the youth to protect the new facility and support NHIA staff in their efforts to increase active membership and improve access to health insurance services across the district.
The establishment of the NHIA office in the Banda district is expected to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of residents. With the new office, residents can now access NHIS services within the district, reducing the financial and logistical burden associated with traveling to neighboring districts. The NHIA office is also expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the district.
Key points
- The Banda district has finally got its first NHIA office, 14 years after its creation, improving access to health insurance services for residents.
- The new office was funded through the MP Health Insurance Fund allocation of the Member of Parliament for Banda and Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim.
- The NHIA has set a target of achieving at least 80 percent active membership coverage in the district within the next six months.
