OFFCOP Partners NHIS and Social Welfare to Enroll Over 800 Vulnerable Beneficiaries in Ashanti Region
In a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening social protection for vulnerable households, the Offinso Fine Flavour Cocoa Farmers Cooperative and Marketing Society Limited (OFFCOP), with support from the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has successfully partnered with the Offinso National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Office and the Department of Social Welfare to facilitate NHIS registration and renewal across selected communities in the Ashanti Region.
The outreach, conducted from December 8 to December 12, 2025, targeted vulnerable members of the community, including women, children, the elderly, and persons living in socio-economic hardship. The exercise not only enabled the enrollment of new beneficiaries but also ensured the renewal of expired NHIS memberships, providing critical access to healthcare and other social services for over 800 households.
The initiative was carried out across five communities in three districts: Koforidua and Namong–Wenchi in the Offinso Municipal District, Abroma in the Afigya Kwabre North District, and Barekesse and Worapong in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District. Through the concerted efforts of OFFCOP, NHIS officials, and Social Welfare officers, 258 vulnerable household members were newly registered, while 548 beneficiaries successfully renewed their NHIS coverage.
Beyond the registration exercise, participants were sensitized on their rights and entitlements under Ghana’s social protection system. Beneficiaries received guidance on accessing healthcare, navigating public service channels, and leveraging social welfare support mechanisms, particularly for households most at risk of socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Speaking on the initiative, OFFCOP emphasized that this collaboration aligns with its broader mission under the FAO–FFF programme to strengthen social inclusion, improve access to essential services, and enhance the resilience of rural and cocoa-farming communities. The cooperative noted that by facilitating healthcare coverage, vulnerable households are better equipped to maintain productive livelihoods and withstand socio-economic shocks.
Officials from the NHIS and the Department of Social Welfare praised the partnership, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in promoting social protection and reducing vulnerability among underserved communities. They further commended OFFCOP’s proactive role in bringing essential services directly to beneficiaries, eliminating common barriers such as distance, cost, and lack of awareness.
Community leaders and beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the timely intervention, acknowledging the positive impact it would have on health, wellbeing, and overall community development. The initiative demonstrates a successful model of public-private partnership, reinforcing the significance of coordinated efforts in ensuring equitable access to social protection services across Ghana’s rural communities.
OFFCOP has reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with development partners and government agencies to expand social protection interventions, strengthen community resilience, and enhance the welfare of vulnerable households across its operational areas.
