The workshop, organized in Koforidua, was spearheaded by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), and sponsored by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).

[contextly_sidebar id=”qZvF3Ne6aYdgDtnzNxxwnv1XMLM5sEUa”]It was meant to track the progress made on some oil revenue funded projects in some selected regions as follow-ups to the Public Interest And Accountability Committee’s (PIAC) field visits.

The event offered competitive teams the opportunity to give an account of some sparingly spread oil revenue funded projects in the Volta, Northern, Upper East and West, Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Greater Accra Regions.

The presentations focused on oil-funded projects in the agriculture, education, roads and highways sectors.

It emerged that whopping sums of the oil revenue released for the construction of several projects were diverted, whilst some of the projects have stalled.

It was against this backdrop they insisted that government has to rethink its oil revenue disbursement strategy to ensure value for money on some earmarked projects.

They further advocated the need for a direct linkage between oil revenue funded projects and their impact on residents of the selected beneficiary communities.

They also called for forensic audit of oil funded projects as a means of reprimanding plunderers.

A senior technical adviser of GIZ good governance programme, Alan Larsey, took a swipe at the PIAC for reneging on its civic responsibility.

According to him, much was desired of the PIAC to hold managers of the nation’s oil revenue accountable to the citizenry.

An outspoken member of the PIAC, Dr. Steven Manteaw, bemoaned the mode of selection of institutional representation on the PIAC, saying, “PIAC should discharge its duties without fear or favour.”

He posited that in many instances, some members of PIAC are self-imposed, hence the Committee’s inability to independently discharge its mandate in line with the purpose of its establishment.

Dr. Steve Manteaw admonished the media to constantly highlight some imperfections on the disbursement of oil revenue for funding some earmarked projects.

A founding member of IFEJ, Lloyd Evans, lauded the teams’ presentations.

He disclosed the organization’s intention to organize a grand workshop that will bring together ministers, parliamentarians and other major stakeholders to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the misappropriation of oil revenue.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t advised to invest oil revenue on legacy projects appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on the status of the NHIS, Mr. Otoo said the President’s statement is a welcome call and one that will provide respite for the Scheme.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DfOkcplgkJM6QIOWLf6PRXg9OyzIqcVK”]“His Excellency the President’s recent announcement to commit a portion of the oil revenue to the NHIS is gratifying as it provides a significant prospect to address the issues of sustainability,” the NHIS boss averred.

The NHIS is mainly funded by taxes and deductions from social security contributions. Premium payment, according to the NHIA, accounts for less than 4% of the Scheme’s revenue base.

In the last few years, the subject of the sustainability of the Scheme has become topical. Administrators of the Scheme have maintained that given the steady growth of the scheme and the global trend of healthcare financing, a review of NHIS’ funding sources was important to support the expansion of the Scheme.

President Mahama at a recent event in Accra, mentioned that he will push for the allocation of petroleum revenue for the funding of the NHIS.

According to him, there is the need to rework the sustainability of the Scheme, hence the need to “look for new sources of funding for the National Health Insurance.”

Thus he said, “My proposal is that a percentage of the annual budget funding amount that comes from petroleum revenues should be allocated to the National Health Insurance Scheme.”

This commitment by the President is what the NHIA top man described as progressive.

“This is forward looking and an indication that the known challenge of delays in claims payment occasioned by the inadequacy of funds from the traditional funding sources, could be dealt with,” an optimistic Mr. Otoo stated.

The NHIS currently has a membership of 11.3 million members with an average of 40,000 people either joining or renewing their membership daily.

This huge number and the accompanying cost of their healthcare, arguably puts a lot of strain on the kitty of the Scheme, especially as about 70% of these people by law do not pay premiums.

The categories of people who do not pay premiums include the poor, persons below 18 years, aged, pregnant women among others.

Health sector players have lauded the President’s promise, and have said it will allow the NHIS some more financial muscle to support its operations.

Mr. Otoo mentioned that, the NHIA in recent years has employed technology in addressing many of the challenges it has faced.

He named the introduction of paperless NHIS registration which saves the Scheme about 6 million cedis annually, introduction of Provider Unique Identification, electronic identification of the poor and vulnerable persons for enrolment onto NHIS, the expansion of Clinical Audit capacity among many others.

A new product, the multi-year registration for NHIS members, which allows NHIS members the option to renew their membership for 2, 3 or 4 years, was launched on the same day.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Allocation of petroleum revenue to NHIS laudable – NHIS Boss appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.