‘Past eight years’ is factual, not partisan – NHIA DCEO hits back at NPP over Chief Justice’s attack

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Anatu Anne Seidu Bogobiri Esq., has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie against criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), insisting that his reference to the “past eight years” was factual and not partisan.

Her comment follows attacks by the NPP against the Chief Justice over remarks he made during his recent visits to some state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

The Chief Justice, during a visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on Wednesday, September 2, praised the performance of some public institutions under the current administration.

He stated, “Sometimes when we hear how well some state organizations are doing now, we wonder what we’ve been doing for the past eight years and how Ghana could have sunk so low.”

The Chief Justice also referred to an earlier visit to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), saying it had reinforced his impression that some public institutions were now performing significantly better.

The NPP subsequently took a swipe at the Chief Justice, describing his comments as partisan and inappropriate for the head of the judiciary. The party has also called for his resignation.

However, in a statement, Madama Bogobiri rejected the NPP’s characterisation of the remarks, arguing that the phrase “past eight years” was simply a reference to a clearly identifiable period.

“Those attacking Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for saying ‘Sometimes when we hear how well some state organizations are doing now, we wonder what we’ve been doing for the past eight years and how Ghana could have sunk so low’ are being deliberately mischievous,” she said.

“The phrase ‘past eight years’ is NOT political. It is chronological. It is factual. And it is the duty of a statesman not to speak VAGUELY.”

She noted that the previous administration governed Ghana from January 7, 2017, to January 6, 2025, exactly eight years.

“‘Past eight years’ is precision, not partisanship. It is the accurate period under review,” she added.

The NHIA DCEO further argued that the economic difficulties Ghana experienced during that period were matters of public record and that acknowledging them could not, by itself, amount to partisan politics.

“‘Past eight years’ is not NPP vs NDC. It is 2017-2025. It is a factual timeline which is measurable. And facts have no party colours,” she said.