The board members of Techiman Municipal Mutual Health insurance Scheme (TMMHIS) have refuted growing media assertion that the board chairman in the person of Mr. Kwabena Darko single handedly appointed the new scheme manager.

However, it was a unanimous decision taking by the board in accordance with the directive in the act 650 (54) National Health Insurance Council (NHIC). This made it necessary for the board to call upon the NHIC before the final decision was agreed upon. Again, the appointment was also done with due recognition to the scheme’s constitution. Arguably the board’s decision was not based on favouritism or personal interest as it is been alleged by some selected quarters, rather it was done under the basis of competency, experience and vivid knowledge about the job.

Meanwhile the board admitted the mistake for not communicating their final decision concerning the appointment to the other short listed applicants and consequently apologized to the general assembly and the short listed applicants. This was contained in a two page release issued at a pres conference held today and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Asamoah.

After series of questions posed by the journalists, the chairman of the general assembly, Nana Owusu Gyare advised the inky fraternity in Brong Ahafo region, particularly those operating in Techiman to help project the NHIS for the benefit of posterity. He warned that any unsubstantiated reportage or publication will go a long way to affect the future of the scheme. He continued that it would more appropriate for the media to rely much on facts squabbling in order to arrive at a balance report.

On his part, Nana Assa Akompanyin, chief of Krobo, also a board member of TMMHIS called for periodic briefing for the journalists within the municipality and beyond be abreast with the activities of the scheme. This when done, will create a mutual relationship between the two bodies, there by paving the way for cordial atmosphere. He charged on Ghanaians to consider the benefits of the scheme and help protect it, stating that the benefits associated with the NHIS is very enormous though there are other pitfalls attached to it.

The board chairman, Mr. Kwabena Darko charged also stressed the need for the media to desist from attacking people in authority, because image soiled is very intricate to rebuild. According to him it would not be on a safer side to tarnish the hard fought reputation of core figures in the society. He appealed to the residents in the municipality to put their hands on deck and support the TMMHIS. Mr. Darko intimated that TMMHIS is one of the schemes that have chalked great success since it was launched about two years ago. Out of the expected percent of 60% TMMHIS is now having 58%, placing the number of registered members at 116,274.

He later told the press that the scheme has now started a three storey office complex. This project according to the PRO is enjoying financial assistance out of the development fund recently established, adding that it is part of beneficiaries contributions. He stated that though they need over ¢3bn for the completion it has been able to raise up ¢600m. Mr. Asamoah called on NGOS and other corporate bodies to support the project with their widow’s mite.