Sylvester Mensah leaves NHIA

The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Sylvester Mensah is leaving his post, an internal memo has confirmed.

The former MP for La Dadekotopon has informed to his staff his tenure has come to an end after six years in office, and will be reassigned in due course.

The news has been confirmed by the head of communications at the NHIA Selorm Adonoo.

He said his boss “is moving on” and will announce his new position in the coming days.

The memo

“Yesterday was exactly six (6) years since I assumed office as Chief Executive of the NHIA. Looking back, the NHIA today is a significant departure from what it was at the time.

“Together, we have placed Ghana’s NHIS as a leading model and an international case study for effective and efficient construction of a health insurance scheme in both developing and the developed world.

The raft of initiatives we have collectively pursued have attracted international learning and knowledge-sharing experiences which has positioned Ghana as a leading destination for health insurance studies.

“Our strategies, structures and systems have become a focus for academic research, analysis and template for emulation by others.

“I am exceedingly grateful to all management and staff for the co-operation, contribution and commitment to our objectives. I am even more grateful for the opportunity to exercise leadership in the NHIA over the past years.

“This mail to you signifies a new phase in the life of the scheme, indeed, a change in leadership and a renewed motivation and commitment to steer the scheme with high velocity.

“I will have fond memories of our collective passion to succeed, the occasional harsh decisions in our collective interests, the affections and comradeship we have shared, the principled loyalty and esprit de corps inherent in our working relations, as I leave office in the next few days.

“It is my conviction that you would accord my successor who has no less capacity and enthusiasm, the same support and co-operation and even more. Let’s keep an eye on the on-going restructuring of the scheme.

“Let’s devote attention to the up-scaling of capitation. Let’s deepen and expand our efficiency gain strategies and above all let’s continue to close the communication gap with our stakeholders. Ghana’s Health Insurance Scheme shall succeed.

“My appreciation and warm regards to all for six (6) years of eventful engagement and success,” Mr Mensah’s message to his staff read in part.

Work experience

Mensah has a combined work experience spanning 25 years in various sectors including Public Services, Banking, the Private Sector, Politics, and Academia.

He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester in the UK, a BSc in Administration from the University of Ghana, Legon, a Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Ghana, and a Diploma in Political Economy from Cotbus Political College, Germany.

He also holds a Diploma in Global Health Leadership from the University Of California School Of Public Health and Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, and a number of Certificates from Harvard University School of Public Health.

He served a full term as a Member of Parliament for the Dadekotopon constituency in the Greater Accra region of Ghana between 1997 and 2001, during which he served on Parliamentary Select Committees on Lands & Forestry, Employment and Social Welfare, Youth & Sports, and the Appointments Committee.