The Ministerof Health designate, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, has called for a conscious effort to invest more in women to build an industrious nation for future generations.
Importantly, he stressed the need to invest in the health and wellbeing of women given their crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country, emphasising the NHIA’s commitment in that area.
Addressing a workshop organised by the B-Heck Africa Non-Governmental Organisations Alliance at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, Dr Okoe-Boye, who is the outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) emphasised his unflinching support for any positive move towards women’s health and empowerment.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Administration and Human Resource, NHIA, Raymond Avimu, the Minister designate said although significant strides had been made in empowering women, more needed to be done not only to bridge the gap in both corporate and other spheres of life, but to motivate the next generation to also aspire to play significant roles in nation building.
“We have made gains in supporting women, but we need to do more to empower them to aspire to greater heights and also inspire the next generation,” Dr Okoe-Boye said at the event organised by “Corporate Health and Legal Date Crusade”, to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
The event sought to emphasise the critical role of investing in women’s health care, promoting women’s rights, economic empowerment, education and development in their line of work.
It was on the theme: “Empowering Corporate Africa on Legal and Health Rights to Serve as a Public Health and Safety Advocate”, and was also meant to reflect on both the dark and bright moments associated with the discharge of duties and responsibilities in the corporate space.
It brought together participants from both public and private institutions, including the NHIA, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), National Lottery Authority (NLA), Ghana Gas, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Bui Power Authority
Dr Okoe-Boye commended the organisers of the event, as well as other civil society organisations, for making the National Health Insurance Scheme the best model in sub-Saharan Africa.
“As the outgoing NHIA Chief Executive and the Health Minister designate, I am much more excited to be part of this one-of-a-kind B-HecK Africa partnership event.