Govt asked to intensify insurance awareness for market women

Thomas Winsum Anabah, the Member of Parliament for Garu, has called on the government to intensify efforts in educating and encouraging market women to enroll in insurance policies. He argued that such education is vital to reduce the hardships these women face when disasters strike, referencing the recent devastating floods that claimed lives and displaced thousands of households.

Speaking during a parliamentary session, Mr. Anabah supported a proposed relief package for market women affected by the floods but stressed that it wouldn't be sufficient for full business restoration. He advocated for a proactive approach, urging the government to promote insurance as a means for market women to insure their businesses against future calamities. "We must think of a different way of finding support for such people," he stated, emphasizing the need to educate market women on insurance.

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Mr Speaker, this has become a ritual in this country that every year there will be flooding and fire outbreaks in markets and houses, and government has to find money to save people. Are we going to continuously find money to help and save people?

Mr. Anabah further proposed collaboration between the government and insurance companies to simplify the process for market women to insure their goods. This, he believes, would enable them to receive compensation for losses incurred due to disasters. The MP for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, echoed this sentiment, asserting that insurance provides essential financial relief and prevents affected traders from acting out of desperation after their businesses are destroyed.

Meanwhile, the government has announced the allocation of GH¢350 million from the Contingency Fund for flood relief and mitigation efforts. This fund includes GH¢200 million for relief items and GH¢150 million for flood mitigation measures, following heavy rains that caused widespread damage and displacement. Despite this immediate aid, the parliamentary discussion underscored the long-term financial vulnerability of market women and the critical need for insurance solutions.

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We must think of a different way of finding support for such people. Though I support the current request and appeal for support for them, let’s think of how to educate these our market women on insurance.