STAR Ghana Foundation welcomes Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s decision to uncap the NHIS levy, a crucial move for enhancing health funding in Ghana. This initiative will support private healthcare and free primary health initiatives, along with the allocation of funds from the GETFund for educational projects. The Foundation is also establishing a manifesto tracker to monitor government commitments in healthcare and ensure accountability in the system.
STAR Ghana Foundation has expressed support for Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s decision to uncap the National Health Insurance (NHIS) levy, which will significantly enhance funding for the health sector. Mr. Raymond Danso, Portfolio Manager of Right to Services at STAR-Ghana Foundation, stated that this decision is a critical milestone benefiting private hospitals and free primary healthcare initiatives. The allocation of NHIL, alongside full funding for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as announced in the 2025 budget, is expected to bolster health financing in Ghana.
During the presentation of the 2025 Budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson revealed the removal of the cap on GETFund, which aims to provide an additional GH¢4.1 billion, ensuring reliable funding for essential educational initiatives such as the Free SHS programme and support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The Minister noted, “Mr. Speaker, H.E. President John Mahama has resolved the funding challenge by uncapping the GETFund.” This reflects a commitment to expanding access to education.
Mr. Danso further conveyed that the NHIS levy allocation would provide relief to private hospitals by ensuring they receive their reimbursements, thereby facilitating advancements in free primary healthcare and other government initiatives. He emphasized the importance of transforming these commitments into concrete improvements, stating, “It’s great to see your advocacy yielding results, but sustained monitoring, research, and public engagement will be key.”
STAR-Ghana Foundation is actively developing a robust manifesto tracker aimed at monitoring government commitments in healthcare. This initiative is vital for maintaining accountability and fostering evidence-based dialogue with policymakers. The recent meeting organized by STAR-Ghana Foundation, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aimed to amplify civil society organizations’ advocacy for improved healthcare services and facilitated discussions on monitoring government performance.
Mr. Danso highlighted the convening’s objectives, stating, “We have gathered to look at the key manifesto promises, the key themes, the different intervention areas, and really looking at how best we’ll be able to monitor progress.” The manifesto tracker will aid in tracking advancements and will provide essential feedback to support government efforts towards health sector reforms.
The uncapping of the National Health Insurance levy marks a pivotal advancement in Ghana’s health financing strategy, as acknowledged by STAR Ghana Foundation. This funding enhancement aims to benefit private healthcare providers and support free primary healthcare initiatives. The establishment of a manifesto tracker by STAR-Ghana will further enhance government accountability and improve tracking of health sector commitments, ensuring that the country moves towards more sustainable healthcare improvements in the years to come.
Original Source: 3news.com
