Stakeholders in Ghana’s insurance, maritime and business sectors have been urged to strengthen public awareness of insurance protection, professional loss assessment and claims management to safeguard businesses, individuals and families against the financial consequences of unexpected losses.
The call was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Insurance Claims Specialist Group (ICSG) Ltd, Mr Dennis Tufour, at a media briefing in Accra on Monday, November 9, 2026, to announce a nationwide public education campaign being undertaken in collaboration with the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG).
The campaign seeks to deepen public understanding of insurance, the importance of professional loss assessment and the procedures for pursuing legitimate claims, with particular emphasis on marine cargo insurance and the protection of businesses engaged in international trade.
Addressing the media, Mr Tufour observed that insurance protection should not be viewed merely as a regulatory requirement or the acquisition of an insurance certificate but as an important financial safeguard for businesses and individuals against unforeseen circumstances.
He explained that while insurance provides an essential layer of protection, many policyholders encounter difficulties when losses occur because they lack adequate knowledge of policy conditions, claims procedures, documentation requirements and the importance of independent loss assessment.
According to him, effective claims management requires a structured process involving the proper identification of losses, preservation of evidence, determination of the circumstances surrounding an incident and professional assessment of the extent of damage.
He stressed that without proper documentation and objective assessment, legitimate claims could face unnecessary complications, misunderstandings and delays.
Mr Tufour said the campaign would therefore seek to bridge the knowledge gap by educating businesses and the general public on their insurance responsibilities, the importance of timely reporting and the need to seek professional assistance when losses occur.
He noted that the initiative would extend beyond the maritime and shipping industry, as the broader objective was to promote a more informed insurance environment where policyholders understood their rights, obligations and the processes involved in securing compensation for insured losses.
PROFESSIONAL LOSS ASSESSMENT KEY TO FAIR CLAIMS
The ICSG Chief Executive Officer emphasised that professional loss assessment remained central to ensuring transparency, accountability and confidence in the insurance claims process.
He explained that loss assessment involved more than determining the monetary value of damaged property, as it also required establishing the circumstances of an incident, the probable cause of damage, the extent of the loss and possible measures to minimise further financial exposure.
He said independent and objective assessments provided useful technical information to insurers, policyholders, brokers and other relevant stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions based on verifiable evidence.
Mr Tufour added that ICSG was positioned to provide specialist services including inspections, loss assessment, documentation of evidence, preparation of assessment reports and claims management support.
He maintained that the company’s approach would be guided by professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, objectivity and transparency.
IEAG PARTNERS ICSG TO PROTECT BUSINESS INTERESTS
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, said the Association’s collaboration with ICSG was part of efforts to strengthen the support systems available to Ghanaian businesses and protect their commercial investments.
He explained that businesses engaged in international trade were exposed to several risks during the transportation and handling of goods, including accidents, fire, theft, physical damage and other insured incidents.
However, he observed that the challenges confronting importers and exporters often extended beyond the occurrence of a loss, with many struggling to establish the extent of damage, understand insurance policy requirements and pursue legitimate claims.
Mr Awingobit said the partnership would provide the business community with access to specialised technical support to help address these challenges.
He further noted that the collaboration was particularly significant in view of the country’s renewed focus on strengthening local marine cargo insurance and the impending enforcement of the mandatory local cargo insurance framework.
According to him, the availability of competent local claims assessment services would be essential to building confidence in the insurance system as more insurance transactions were domiciled locally.
He encouraged importers, exporters, freight forwarders and other business operators to take advantage of the services being introduced by ICSG, emphasising that insurance protection must be complemented by proper claims preparedness.
ICSG SEEKS REVIEW OF COMPENSATION LIMITS UNDER CAP 21
In a related development, Mr Tufour called for a comprehensive review of the limitation on compensation for personal injury and death under the framework commonly referred to as CAP 21.
He argued that compensation for victims of serious injuries and families who lose breadwinners must reflect prevailing economic conditions and the actual financial consequences of such incidents.
He identified inflation, rising medical and rehabilitation costs, loss of present and future income, long-term disability and the financial needs of dependants as critical considerations that should inform any review of the existing compensation framework.
He observed that the death of a breadwinner could leave families financially vulnerable, deprive children of educational opportunities and undermine the economic security of dependants.
Mr Tufour said ICSG was prepared to engage regulators, policymakers, insurance companies, legal professionals, medical experts and other relevant stakeholders to examine the adequacy of the existing framework and contribute to evidence-based reforms where necessary.
He maintained that compensation arrangements must be fair, meaningful and responsive to present economic realities while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the insurance industry.
NATIONAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS
The public education initiative will utilise television, radio, print media, digital platforms, stakeholder engagements and workshops to reach businesses and members of the general public.
Among the issues expected to be addressed are insurance policy requirements, claims documentation, loss assessment, the responsibilities of insurers and policyholders, loss prevention and the procedures to follow when insured incidents occur.
The campaign will also place particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, which often have limited financial resources and may be severely affected by unexpected losses.
Both IEAG and ICSG expressed their commitment to working with regulators, insurers, brokers, shipping companies, freight forwarders, port operators and other industry stakeholders to promote greater awareness and strengthen confidence in Ghana’s insurance and business environment.
They maintained that improving public understanding of insurance and professional claims management was essential to protecting investments, livelihoods and the financial security of businesses and individuals.
