Government Clears GHS 603 Million NHIS Claims Arrears

In a major breakthrough for Ghana’s healthcare financing sector, the government has fully settled all National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims arrears amounting to GHS 603 million as of December 2024. This announcement was made by the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh , during his address at the Government Accountability Series held in Accra this week.

Describing the milestone as a testament to responsible governance, the Minister emphasized that the move reflects the Akufo-Addo administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the country’s universal healthcare agenda.

“We have honoured all claims arrears owed to healthcare providers up to December 2024. This is not just a financial achievement — it is a bold political statement of responsibility, transparency, and prioritization of health in Ghana’s development strategy,” he stated.

This major clearance of arrears is being hailed as a victory for transparency and accountability in public finance, aligning with the government’s broader fiscal discipline and social protection mandate.

According to stakeholders within the health sector, the GHS 603 million payout has significantly eased pressure on healthcare providers, many of whom have struggled over the years with delayed reimbursements that affected service delivery.

“This is a clear sign of government responsiveness and policy maturity. Clearing NHIS arrears on time means hospitals can function without disruption, and citizens can access healthcare without fear of quality decline,” said Dr. Florence Adjei, a health policy analyst.

The Health Minister further noted that this development boosts confidence in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which remains a flagship social intervention program aimed at ensuring universal health coverage (UHC) for all Ghanaians.

With the arrears cleared, the NHIS is now poised to refocus on digital transformation, fraud reduction, and expanding coverage to include more preventive and maternal health services in underserved regions.

The government’s ability to fulfil such a huge financial obligation, despite global economic pressures, has also been viewed as a political win for the ruling administration ahead of the 2024 General Elections.

This development marks a key moment in the #AccountabilitySeries, the government’s new platform for showcasing performance, policy implementation, and public service delivery.

Observers say this move will resonate strongly with voters, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, where healthcare access is often dependent on NHIS reimbursement cycles.

Political analysts also note that the Health Ministry’s financial clearance positions the ruling party as a responsible steward of public funds — a strong narrative going into the election season.