Health Minister Announces NHIS Tariff Increase, Warns Against Illegal Charges
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that tariffs under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will be increased effective August 2026. The adjustment is part of the government’s efforts to sustain the scheme and ensure healthcare providers receive adequate reimbursements for services rendered to NHIS subscribers. Addressing Parliament’s Assurance Committee, Mr. Akandoh highlighted that the Mahama administration is also facilitating the timely transfer of funds from the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) to support prompt payment of claims. “I’m happy to announce that very soon, we are going to increase the tariffs of the National Health Insurance. I think in August it’s going to start,” he confirmed. The Minister also expressed concern over illegal charges, known as “co-payment,” imposed on NHIS subscribers by some healthcare providers. He described these practices as fraudulent and warned that offenders would be prosecuted. “We have detected this kind of co-payment, which is an illegal payment. We are even prosecuting some of them. We have arrested some, they are under prosecution,” he said. Akandoh urged service providers to comply with NHIS regulations and stressed that authorities will continue monitoring health facilities to eliminate illegal charges. “I will plead with all service providers that let us do the right thing because we are on the ground, and we will come after you,” he cautioned. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GES Orders Temporary Closure of Yendi Schools to Honour Late Dagbon Overlord
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the temporary closure of all public and private schools within the Yendi Municipality to allow students and staff to observe the funeral rites of the late Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Ndan Yaa-Naa Abukari II. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 14, the GES said the directive took effect from midday Monday, July 13, and will remain in force until Thursday, July 16. Full academic activities are expected to resume on Friday, July 17. The Service explained that the decision followed consultations with the Northern Regional Director of Education, the Director-General of GES, the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, and the Gbewaa Palace. The closure aims to honour the late King and show respect for the cultural heritage and traditions of the Dagbon people during the mourning period. GES instructed all students and staff within the municipality to observe the mourning, expressing confidence that parents, school authorities, and stakeholders would cooperate with the directive. Yendi Municipal Chief Executive Muniru Sogri confirmed the decision to Citi News, explaining that the government approved the closure to enable residents, including the school community, to participate in activities marking the passing of the Dagbon Overlord. “Following the demise of the King of Dagbon, the Overlord, Yaa-Naa Abukari II, a decision was taken that to mourn the death of the King, public schools and also private schools have to close down,” he said. Meanwhile, the Dagbon Traditional Council has announced that the third-day Islamic prayers for the late Yaa-Naa Abukari II will be held at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi on Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m. The Council has invited the public to attend and offer prayers for the late Dagbon Overlord. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Supreme Court Halts Reinstatement of GN Savings and Loans Licence Pending Appeal
The Supreme Court has suspended the enforcement of a Court of Appeal ruling that directed the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to restore the operating licence of GN Savings and Loans Limited. This decision means that the Court of Appeal’s order will not take effect until the Supreme Court hears and determines the appeal filed by the central bank. The Bank of Ghana had appealed the earlier ruling, which ordered it to reinstate the licence of GN Savings and Loans after it was revoked as part of the country’s financial sector clean-up exercise. With the stay of execution granted, the current status remains unchanged, and the central bank is not required to restore the company’s licence while the appeal is pending. The Supreme Court will now consider whether the Bank of Ghana acted lawfully in revoking the licence and whether the Court of Appeal was justified in ordering its reinstatement. The final decision will determine whether the Court of Appeal’s judgment is upheld or overturned. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Paul Afoko Forgives NPP Over Suspension, Urges Unity Amid Party Challenges
A national chairman aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has declared that he has forgiven those involved in his suspension from the party, despite initially feeling anger and disappointment over the decision. Afoko was suspended as NPP National Chairman in October 2015, a year after his election, following a recommendation from the party’s Disciplinary Committee and subsequent approval by the National Executive Committee (NEC). During the formal launch of his chairmanship bid and vision for the NPP on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Afoko reflected on the emotional impact of his suspension. “I wouldn’t lie that I wasn’t angry at some point. I was. Because I was angry that a mandate given to me by the party was yanked away from me by a few people,” he admitted. However, Afoko emphasized that he had moved on, stating, “I have forgiven completely. God knows my heart. My heart is clean and clear.” Afoko stressed that the party’s current challenges require members to put aside personal grievances and focus on collective recovery. “The state of the party will not allow us to dwell on emotions. Emotions must give way to thinking, to strategic thinking, to how we can help our party to come out of this situation,” he said. He cautioned against negative factionalism, warning that internal divisions could undermine the NPP’s prospects. “Anybody who sits within this party and thinks that factionalism is good for the party, and I mean the negative aspects of factionalism, that person doesn’t love NPP,” Afoko noted. He urged for healthy debate within the party, arguing that respectful disagreements can generate stronger policies and strategies. Reflecting on the NPP’s declining parliamentary seats in recent elections, Afoko said the party must prioritise unity over personal differences. “We came from 169 seats to 137 to 87. Is this a wonderful place to be for the NPP? It cannot be,” he said, calling on members to work together to rebuild the party. “As a party, let’s be true to ourselves. Let’s be truthful and speak to each other with love and understanding that we want to bring ourselves out of this hole in which we are,” Afoko urged. “I’m ready to serve. There’s no more bitterness. There’s no more anger.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com