The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has clarified the differences between the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the newly launched Free Primary Healthcare policy, emphasising that the two initiatives serve distinct but complementary purposes.
He explained that while the NHIS provides coverage for subscribed members, the Free Primary Healthcare initiative aims to reach all Ghanaians, regardless of their insurance status. This clarification comes in response to concerns about overlapping programs across the NHIS, Mahama Care, and the Free Primary Healthcare policy.
During an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the minister pointed out that Ghana still has significant gaps in NHIS coverage, highlighting the need for broader public health interventions to enhance access. “We inherited NHIS coverage of 57%, and now we are about 66%. This means that there are more than 12 million Ghanaians who are not covered. So, when we claim that almost everybody is part of the NHIA, we tread on dangerous ground,” he stated.
He noted that access to healthcare under the NHIS is limited to active subscribers, adding that challenges such as renewal barriers continue to affect enrolment, particularly outside major urban centres. “Remember, Ghana is not all about Accra or the cities. Some do not even have it easy to renew their cards when it expires,” he added.
Explaining further, Mr. Akandoh said the NHIS operates as an insurance-based system, meaning only those who are registered and active can benefit from its services. “The NHIS card takes care of subscribers. That means that if you are not a subscriber, you cannot access healthcare under NHIS,” he said.
In contrast, he explained that the Free Primary Healthcare policy is universal in scope and focuses on preventive care. “In the case of the Free Primary Healthcare, all the 33 million Ghanaians are covered. So whether you are a subscriber or not, you only have to identify yourself as a Ghanaian,” he stated.
He added that, unlike NHIS, which is largely facility-based, the Free Primary Healthcare approach involves proactive outreach. “As an NHIS subscriber, you cannot sit in the house, and then you get health practitioners coming to your house to check your vitals. But in the case of the Free Primary Healthcare, we are concentrating on preventive healthcare,” he said.
The minister said the two systems are intended to work together to expand access, improve early detection of illnesses, and strengthen Ghana’s overall healthcare delivery.
Source: William Narh
