Do not use NHIS as a propaganda tool - Deputy Minister

Amaasu (B/A), Sept. 6, GNA - Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning last weekend said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) must not be used as a political propaganda tool to deprive the people of their rights to better health care delivery.

He said "the Scheme is a vital component of Ghana's socio-economic development strategies, it has nothing in common with partisan politics therefore, it should not be treated with parochial instincts".

Mr Agyemang-Manu was delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of a new choir for the Amaasu Roman Catholic Church in the Brong-Ahafo Region attended by other choir groups of the Church from Sunyani, Berekum and Dormaa-Ahenkro. The theme for the inauguration was "The Importance of Music in Nation-building."

Mr Agyemang-Manu said music had a role in national development as well as the potential to affect society and destroy long-cherished cultures when not handled with care.

He therefore, called on producers, composers and stakeholders in the music industry to monitor the works of their members to ensure their lyrics did not create disaffection among the people. The Deputy Minister said lyrics in some music though were to entertain had the tendency to infringe on traditional norms, adding "the National Executives of the various groups in the industry should vet final products of their members before released to the public." Mr. Agyemang-Manu advised parents to take advantage of the Capitation grant to ensure their children attend school and regularly. He asked the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to enact bye-laws to arrest and prosecute parents or guardians who deny their children and wards access to education.