The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is under fire from the Minority caucus in Parliament for allegedly failing to deliver on its campaign promise to remove the cap on National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding.
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore, has accused the NDC of reneging on its pledge, citing the Finance Minister’s recent statement as proof of the government’s inability to uphold its commitment.
Addressing a press conference, he said “The NDC made the whole country believe that the NPP’s practice of capping NHIS funds was detrimental. They campaigned on the promise that all revenues would be made available to the NHIA”.
“Now, in office, the Finance Minister finds it difficult to uncap the funds, so he claims there is misuse and a shortfall. That is not true,” Dr. Afriye asserted.
He emphasized that NHIS funds are statutory allocations approved by Parliament through a joint effort of both the Majority and Minority, making allegations of misuse unfounded.
“We have approved NHIS budgets in this Parliament for years without raising concerns about misuse. Why is it now an issue simply because he is the Finance Minister? He should admit that they cannot uncap the funds and apologize to Ghanaians,” Dr. Afriye added.
The Minority is now demanding an apology from the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, for the government’s supposed failure to fulfill its promise.
They expect the upcoming budget to allocate the full amount received in the health fund to the NHIA, emphasizing that any deviation would be unacceptable.
The controversy surrounding the NHIS funding has sparked a heated debate, with the Minority calling for accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
