Govt concerns about plight of poor people. February 21

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Aflao

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi has said theintroduction of pro-poor programmes was an attestation to the concern of thegovernment to address the difficulties the citizens face in their daily lives.
He thereforesaid the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Capitation grant, schoolfeeding programme and the National Youth Employment programme, among otherswere all aimed at enhancing the socio-economic condition in the country.
MrDzamesi said this in an address delivered on his behalf at an end of year get-together of the Ketu District Mutual Health Insurance Schemeand a send off for the first scheme manager, Mr Raymond Avinu who had beenelevated to the Volta regional scheme manager at Aflao last weekend.
He saidwhen the NHIS took off many people vehemently kicked against it but today ithad become the “ saviour” without which many people especially the vulnerablewould have gone to their graves owing to inability to pay for health care.
Theregional minister said the government had sunk huge sums of money into itsoperation adding that as at November last year the Ketu district alone receiveda total subsidy of GHc 1,000,165.59 against a premium of GHc 152,078.8 with atotal registration of 135, 650 and 125, 000 card bearing members.
Touchingon peace and security, Mr Dzamesi commended the security agencies for theirvigilance in the maintenance of law and order especially along the easterncorridor.
Heurged the people to maintain the peaceful atmosphere in an election year toenable citizens to exercise their franchise in an atmosphere devoid ofintimidation and insecurity.
In anaddress, the board chairman and member of the National Health InsuranceAuthority Mr Obed Okudzeto said the scheme had chalked many successes in thefields of instant photo identity card delivery and technical vetting system.
Hecommended the outgoing scheme manager for his dedication and hard work andassured the government that the board and management of the scheme would workharder than before to break new grounds.
In hisacknowledgement, Mr Avinu said the honour done him was a great day in his lifeand that he was extremely humbled by the honour.
He saidhe has rededicated the contents of the citation to the poor and vulnerable whohad not yet registered under the scheme.
Thechairman of the function, Togbe Awusu II of Afife-Kukorti said the occasion wasa memorable one befitting a wonderful initiative executed by government addingthat Mr Raymond Avinu had distinguished himself at the national level and deservedsuch an honour.