info@businessghana.com
Acacia Health Insurance and Vitality Health International Africa have launched a new partnership aimed at bridging gaps in health coverage across borders and improving access to quality care.
The workshop and round-table meeting which was held in Accra, brought together brokers, regulators and diplomats who emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration, responsible regulation, and innovation in the private health insurance space.
Deputy Director at the Private Health Insurance Schemes (PHIS) Directorate of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Andy Mprah, revealed that no entity, whether private or corporate, has the right operate without proper licensing, and the authority would take firm action against defaulters.
However, he also pledged the NHIA’s support to regulated schemes committed to transparency, innovation and service quality.
“The private health insurance scheme does not compete with the National Health Insurance Scheme; it complements it. Under NHIA Act 852, it is mandated to licence, register and supervise all private health insurance entities operating in Ghana, including brokers and third-party administrators,” he said.
South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Ghana, Thando Dalamba, applauded the partnership as a strong example of intra-African cooperation.
“This is not just the unveiling of an innovative product, it’s a celebration of shared vision to drive sustainable development through better health care,” he said.
Highlighting the growing link between Ghana and South Africa, he disclosed a 49 per cent rise in Ghanaian travel to South Africa since a 2023 bilateral agreement. Many of these visitors, he said, were seeking business, education and healthcare opportunities.
“This trend reflects stronger ties and shows how African countries can work together to meet health needs at global standards,” he said.
Managing Director of Acacia Health Insurance, Dan Armooh, shared personal stories of clients who struggled to access health care abroad due to the lack of international coverage.
“Some of our clients fell ill outside Ghana and could not get help because our local policy did not cover them,” he said.
He said these real-life experiences sparked the need for a solution that could cover African clients even when they travelled.
The partnership with Vitality Health, he said, answers that need.
“Vitality International brings the reach, the experience and the ability to help us fill that gap. We are excited about what lies ahead,” he added.
According to Mr Armooh, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining momentum, health insurance must also follow suit.
“We are no longer just offering services for Ghanaians; we want to make room for all Africans. So wherever you go, your coverage goes with you,” he said.
