Ghanaians have been advised to employ the services of insurance brokers for professional guidance, suitable policies and securing prompt claims settlement.
Bishop Asante Marfo-Ahenkora, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana and Managing Director of Tri-Star Insurance, said brokers were professionals who simplified the complexities of insurance.
“Insurance policies are essentially contracts, and many people may not fully understand the technical details. Brokers, like lawyers in the insurance marketplace, guide clients in selecting the right products and assist them in making claims,” he explained.
He gave the advice on the sidelines of a programme in Accra dubbed, “Breakfast with the Clergy”, held on the theme: Championing Systems of Support for Crashed Victims.
The event, organised by the Accident Victims Support Ghana, brought together the clergy, road safety advocates, insurance companies, health professionals, and accident victims to deliberate on ways to strengthen advocacy for road safety in Ghana.
The Insurance Expert noted that brokers did not charge clients for their services, as their remuneration came from commissions on premiums paid to insurance companies.
“They are on your side to ensure you are not shortchanged,” he added.
Bishop Marfo-Ahenkora said Ghana had over 100 licensed brokers, most of them based in Accra with branches in other regions.
He encouraged the public to take advantage of their expertise, saying: “Elsewhere, no one goes directly to an insurance company without a broker. Even the insurance companies themselves recommend brokers to clients.”
Bishop Marfo-Ahenkora expressed concern about low insurance penetration in Ghana, attributing it to public misconceptions.
“Ghanaians often pay for funeral policies but neglect life or accident insurance. A wise person insures not just for death, but for protection in life—because risks are part of daily living,” he said.
He said insurance cushioned individuals and families during difficult times such as accidents, disabilities, or death, and should therefore be embraced as a social protection tool.
Bishop Marfo-Ahenkora urged churches and the media to promote insurance awareness, arguing that “when tragedies strike, people often run to the church, but insurance provides a better way to prepare for uncertainties.”
Responding to concerns that paying insurance premiums without ever making claims felt like a loss, Bishop Marfo-Ahenkora clarified, saying that insurance operated on the principle of pooling.
“If 100 people contribute premiums, the pool is used to compensate the few who suffer losses. That is how the system works. Until you get to the point where you have to make claims, you will not appreciate how important insurance is,” he explained.
Explaining the claims process for motor accidents, he said victims required a police report and medical report to file claims.
Where vehicles are uninsured or in hit-and-run cases, compensation can be sought through the National Insurance Commission’s special fund.
The Expert appealed to drivers to observe road safety regulations, avoid speeding and overtaking recklessly, and shun drug-influenced driving.
He lamented that Ghana lost about eight lives daily to road crashes, describing the figure as “unacceptable.”
Bishop Marfo-Ahenkora encouraged road crash victims, saying, “Even when a tree is cut down, there is still hope. God never forsakes you in difficult times, and every suffering will be rewarded.”
Madam Natalie Segla, a Midwifery Officer at the Kaneshie Polyclinic, also supported the call, stressing that most accident cases her facility received involved motorbikes, many of which ended in fatalities.
She appealed for discipline among motorbike riders and urged vehicle service providers to be included in road safety campaigns.
Madam Segla recounted a near-fatal incident involving her and the entire family caused by poorly fixed tyres, stressing that drivers, mechanics, and all stakeholders must work together to reduce road accidents
Source: GNA
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