In a heartwarming display of community leadership and collaboration, Hon. Justice Tettey , the dedicated Assemblyman for Lashibi, partnered with the Tema West Municipal Assembly and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for the second time to deliver a transformative Free National Health Insurance Card Registration and Renewal Exercise.
The two-day event, held at St. James School near Vivian Farm Junction, drew massive crowds from across the enclave, underscoring the urgent need for accessible healthcare in Ghana’s bustling suburbs.
The initiative, which kicked off amid sunny skies and high enthusiasm, saw hundreds of residents lining up from dawn, eager to secure or renew their NHIS cards without the usual fees or bureaucratic hassles.
Families, elderly folks, market traders, and young workers braved the queues, sharing stories of how expired cards had previously barred them from essential medical services. By the end of the program, organizers reported registering and renewing cards for over 1,500 participants – a figure that highlights both the popularity of the drive and the scale of unmet healthcare needs in the area.
Speaking exclusively to reporters at the event, Hon. Justice Tettey attributed the success to strong partnerships forged through his office. This wouldn’t have been possible without my good relationship with the Tema West NHIA team,” he said, beaming with pride as volunteers stamped final approvals. They saw the passion in our community and stepped up.
I extend my deepest gratitude to them, the Tema West Municipal Assembly, and the government for making this a reality. Our people deserve healthcare without barriers – that’s the promise we’re keeping.
Eyewitnesses described the scene at St. James School as electric. Makeshift registration tents buzzed with NHIA officials verifying documents, biometric scanners humming, and health educators distributing flyers on preventive care.
Local volunteers, including youth groups and women’s associations, managed crowd control and provided water to those waiting in the heat. I came all the way from Sakumono because my card expired last year, and I couldn’t afford the renewal,” shared Madam Akosua Mensah, a mother of three. Now, my kids can get check-ups without worry. God bless Hon. Tettey.
Challenges were minimal, though organizers noted initial delays due to the overwhelming turnout on day one. Quick adaptations, like adding more registration stations, kept things moving smoothly. The event also doubled as an awareness campaign, with sessions on NHIS benefits, maternal health, and vaccination drives – aligning with national goals to achieve universal health coverage.
But the story didn’t end with the two-day school event. True to his commitment, Hon. Tettey announced an extension phase targeting the most vulnerable: schoolchildren. Many students couldn’t join us because of classes, so we’re now moving into government schools across the enclave, he revealed.
Teams have already fanned out to institutions like Lashibi MA Basic School and nearby primaries, offering free registrations on-site during breaks. This mobile outreach ensures no child is left behind, potentially covering hundreds more in the coming weeks.
The drive comes at a pivotal time for Ghana’s healthcare landscape. With youth unemployment and economic pressures straining household budgets, initiatives like this provide critical relief. The NHIA’s involvement reflects broader government efforts to expand coverage, which currently stands at over 50% nationally but lags in peri-urban areas like Lashibi.
Experts praise such localized partnerships as key to bridging gaps, preventing a slide back into out-of-pocket payments that burden the poor.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson