By: Dennis Bebane
The National Insurance Commission has organized a capacity building training program for about 60 insurance agents in the Upper West Region with a call on insurance companies to operate with utmost faith in order to bring sanity and confidence in the sector.
The program seeks to empower insurance Agents in the region to enable them execute their duty with professionalism according to the National Insurance Commission’s standard and guidelines.
Speaking to GBC News on the sidelines of the program, Upper West Regional Area Manager of the Commission Fredrick Boakye-Yiadom said all insurance activities are governed by law and stressed the need for agents to go strictly by the guidelines.
The Upper West Regional Area Manager pointed out that over the years, the commission had trained over ten thousand agents across the country. However this is the first time the commission is organizing such training in the Region.
Mr Boakye-Yiadom commented on perceptions of the public that insurance companies don’t readily pay claims or compensations during accidents. He explained that insurance companies pay genuine claims or compensations and urged the public to report to NIC if they are being denied of any rightful claim.
Mr Boakye-Yiadom said companies go strictly by the insurance guidelines and policy document handed over to customers at the time of insurance and entreated victims to always refer to the policy document to ascertain whether or not they are qualified for a claim.
Participants at the programme were examined by the commission and will be awarded certificates from Ghana Insurance Collage if they pass the examination.
Some trainees appealed to the National Insurance Commission to adjust the approved commission rate for Agents to enable them get decent income. They also urged NIC to prioritize Insurance Agents’ welfare in its policy guidelines to safeguard their job and operations.
The trainees encouraged the commission to intensify its public education campaign in order to enlighten the public on the laws, rights and responsibilities relating to the insurance Act. This they noted will upscale confidence and enhance patronage in the sector.
