By: Antoinette Abbah and Doreen Ampofo
Ahead of the December general election, demands are being made on the two major political parties, NPP and NDC, to prioritize key social protection interventions. These include commitments to improving the National Health Insurance Scheme, increasing funds for the school feeding program, and ensuring the passage of the Disability Act in the first quarter of next year. These demands were voiced during the SEND Ghana National Dialogue on the Citizens Social Sector Manifesto.
The dialogue brought together various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, vulnerable groups, the Osu community and traditional leadership who raised concern about the lack of commitment on both parties to effectively implement social protection policies to the benefit of communities that really need them.
Issues which topped the agenda were poorly resourced CHPS compounds which has affected the provision of primary healthcare in deprived communities, inaccessibility of the National Health insurance scheme due to lack of funds and the 1 cedi 50 pesewas per meal daily under the school feeding programme.The dialogue also provided a platform for representatives of the two political parties to share plans and policies in their manifestos to address pressing issues in the social sector.
“why have they not looked at the premium we pay, so that if it is the premium that is causing the low tariff then you review it, because we have the insurance yet when you go to the hospital you come home with a lot of receipts like a cash patient” , a participant quizzed.
“Covid-19 took us by surprise. We were not prepared as a nation. Government should establish a public health emergency fund to take care of these things. Can they promise to do something like that?” Another participant wondered.
“Everyone is talking big big big. I have done this and that, when I come I will do this. For we the persons with disabilities we do not enjoy the health system well. When you go to our hospitals, there are no sign language interpreters. Our wheelchairs cannot access the rooms. I want the parties to tell me something” a participant from a vulnerable group said.
Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed said while Dr Bawumia has championed the introduction of 36 social protection policies under the current administration, the party’s manifesto which will be outdoors on Sunday , August 18, 2024, aims to ensure that all citizens of the country have access to quality and affordable health services.
“Our manifesto is going to be strong on bold solutions for the future through a renewed energy. Our Presidential Candidate Dr Bawumia has demonstrated enough courage through the introduction of 36 policies in the Akufo-Addo government. One of which is the drone system. We all know how medical facilities, our community health nurses have suffered. Some of them had to die in the process of moving from one community to the other to deliver drugs “he added
The Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande said the NDC will complete all abandoned CHPS compounds.
“The CHPS compound project was actually started by the NDC. You cannot go and put a hospital in a place where the income cannot service the hospital. As soon as the NPP came to power, it’s about the NDC and John Mahama. It has never been the issue that let us look at the people who are benefiting from these things. When we come back we will complete the CHPS compound. There will still be CHPS Compound where we have nurses attending to everyone in the community ” he said.
The dialogue focused on issues hindering equitable access to essential services, including education, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), gender and social protection and child protection.
