NHIS quiz: Young people are powerful agents of change —NHIA Deputy CEO

The Deputy CEO in charge of Administration and Human Resources at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has called on students to become ambassadors of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by helping to educate their families, friends and communities about its benefits. Raphael Segkpeb said young people play an important role in raising public awareness of the scheme and supporting efforts to ensure access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Ghanaians.

Mr Segkpeb made the appeal during the Greater Accra Regional NHIS Inter-School Quiz Competition, where he highlighted the importance of equipping students with accurate information about the scheme and its contribution to healthcare delivery. He explained that the NHIA organised the competition to promote awareness and deepen students’ understanding of the NHIS, including its benefits and role in improving access to healthcare.

According to him, young people could effectively disseminate information about the scheme if they had the necessary knowledge and understanding. “We believe at the National Health Insurance Authority that young people are powerful agents of change. By equipping you with the right information, you can become National Health Insurance Scheme ambassadors, and help educate families, friends and communities,” he said.

Addressing the participating schools, Mr Segkpeb encouraged contestants to give their best, demonstrate teamwork and uphold the principles of fair competition throughout the contest. He, however, reminded them that the competition’s significance went beyond winning or progressing to the next stage, stressing that the knowledge gained during the exercise was the most valuable reward.

He urged students to approach the contest as a learning opportunity and appreciate the broader educational benefits of participating, irrespective of their eventual performance. “Beyond winning, the most important thing is the knowledge you acquire today,” he emphasised. The Deputy CEO also encouraged contestants who might not qualify for the next rounds, assuring them that failing to advance in a quiz competition did not make them failures.

Drawing on his experience as a secondary school student, he said he had participated in several quiz competitions, but never won He shared this experience to show that not winning a competition shouldn’t discourage students or make them feel inadequate, especially when they’ve gained valuable knowledge and experience. “If you do not make it to the next round, it doesn’t make you a failure.

Let me tell you, when I was in secondary school, I probably participated in several quizzes; I won none. I don’t think I’m the worst for it,” he said. Mr Segkpeb further commended the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the entire organising team for their commitment and efforts towards making the NHIA initiative a reality.

He acknowledged their contribution to the organisation of the competition and encouraged continued collaboration in promoting health insurance education among students. He said initiatives of this nature were important in ensuring that young people understood the NHIS and could contribute meaningfully to raising awareness about its benefits within their respective communities.

Reaffirming the Authority’s message, he urged stakeholders to sustain efforts to promote the scheme as an important means of facilitating access to healthcare. “Let us continue to promote our message, the National Health Insurance Scheme, your access to healthcare,” he stated. He wished all participating schools the best of luck as they prepared to respond to questions from the quizmasters, expressing hope that the competition would be memorable and successful.

At the end of the competition, Accra High School emerged winners with 42 points after four rounds of questions. Accra Academy finished second with 40.5 points, while Ebenezer Senior High School placed third with 40 points. The final scores were as follows: PositionSchoolRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Total 1stAccra High School121281042 2ndAccra Academy121288.540.5 3rdEbenezer SHS12128840 The Greater Accra Regional NHIS Inter-School Quiz Competition is part of the NHIA’s efforts to strengthen health insurance education among students, promote understanding of the scheme and encourage young people to become advocates for wider public awareness.