GH¢250m for NIA cards a misplaced priority, redirect into maternal healthcare – PAC to NHIA
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed displeasure over the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)'s GH¢250 million allocation to the National Identification Authority for the procurement of identification cards.
The move was first announced in a proposal in 2024 to allocate GH₵245 million for the procurement of Ghana Cards for children aged six to 14
Management of the NHIA provided an update on that, indicating to PAC that the promise was carried through.
Members of the Committee registered their disagreement the move after Health Minister called a dedicated budget to fund maternal anemia, to curb maternal mobility.
“Last week, we sat here when NHIA told us that they gave GH¢250 million to the NIA to buy cards, when NIA on their own can buy these cards, because they charge for every card that is made. So these are some of the interventions we want to see.” Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei Asare, said.
She continued that “if NHIA can make space of GH¢250 million for NIA to buy three million cards, they should be able to make the same for maternal healthcare.
So we are going to talk about it. We are going to push it in this budget period, which is coming very soon, and make sure they at least give you something for the maternal healthcare program you have instituted at the primary health care level. That will go a long way to help us reduce the numbers, as we've all alluded to”
RISE IN MATERNAL MORTALITY
Ghana continues to face challenges in reducing maternal deaths, with institutional maternal deaths rising from 779 in 2016 to 955 in 2025, according to the Ghana Health Service.
The institutional maternal mortality ratio also increased from 109.22 in 2023 to 110 in 2024.
Excessive bleeding, high blood pressure during pregnancy, delayed referrals and gaps in emergency care remain key concerns. Shortages of blood, essential medicines and critical-care equipment can also affect the survival of women experiencing childbirth complications.
In response, the government launched the five-year Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) on September 14, 2026. The initiative seeks to improve emergency referrals, transport, staffing and access to essential supplies to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
CALL FOR SUPPORT
The Deputy Health Minister, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, made an appeal for increased government support and dedicated funding for maternal healthcare to help reduce preventable deaths among pregnant women, before the PAC.
She warned that without sustainable domestic financing, the country risks missing its 2030 maternal health targets.
She has also called for critical maternal healthcare services to be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), including intensive care, oxygen, blood supplies and specialist interventions.
The proposed support is expected to improve access to emergency obstetric care and strengthen the health system’s response to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
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