A few weeks ago, Professor Agieman Badu Akosa, former director of Ghana Health Services (GHS), wondered why politicians and senior officials should be allowed to travel abroad to seek medical care.
“…Whether you like it or not, health is expensive and when they go abroad they pay by the nose, so why can't we develop it here?
These sentiments are not new, and perhaps their re-emergence is that Ghana will make a large investment in the health sector and call the country into the best medical tourism hub for West Africa's sub-regions.
Interestingly, successive governments have debated the concept of making Ghana a medical tourism destination, but according to Statista 2025, it remains to realize their dream of benefiting from the predicted $55.83 billion medical tourism market.
Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, UK, Dubai and India are ranked among the top medical tourism destinations.
In Africa, South Africa is the leader in medical tourism. Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are prominent in North Africa and attract European patients. Kenya is also making progress in East Africa, and not much has happened in West Africa.
Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital attracts foreign clients for heart surgery, but the larger scheme of things requires that Ghanaians and other Africans stop traveling the continent for such services and do more to attract more clients from outside of Africa.
Possibilities of Ghana
Ghana could become a thriving medical tourism destination due to its strategic location. The geographical locations of the countries near the main meridians near the center of the Earth and the equators make them convenient destinations for medical tourists in Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East, with relatively short flight times compared to other medical tourism hubs.
Also, perhaps a local aviation hub, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), offers direct and connected flights from major world cities through warm temperatures throughout the year that promote post-treatment recovery for patients seeking a stress-free healing environment.
With the growing demand for health and alternative medicine, Ghana's natural resources, including Ghana's mild environment, herbal medicine expertise and wellness retreats, provide opportunities for medical tourists seeking overall treatment.
Ghana's rich cultural heritage, historical sites and vibrant tourism industry can complement medical tourism by providing an overall experience for international patients and their families.
The country's oxygen city Ho offers fresh air, natural landscapes and a relaxed atmosphere that promotes recovery and promotes wellness tourism.
Medical tourists can explore other sites across the country while receiving care.
According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, more than 1.1 million tourists visit the country each year, providing important economic, medical and sociocultural benefits to the country.
If a country provides high quality health services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries and established medical tourism destinations, it would be an attractive alternative for medical tourists.
Another strength is the experienced consultants and experts from across the world from across the country who can be encouraged to return to support the development and growth of niche regions for medical tourism.
advantage
Medical tourism increases foreign exchange revenues as medical tourism helps to strengthen foreign currency and support national development.
The increased demand for health services will lead to more investments in hospitals, clinics and advanced medical devices, as well as expanding the healthcare system.
Growth in health tourism will also help create thousands of jobs in the healthcare, hospitality, transportation and tourism sectors and address the country's unemployment challenges.
Government intervention
The encouraging news is that the government has committed to diversifying tourism to include pledges to expand health/health tourism and infrastructure and systems and to promote strategic branding.
Interestingly, the government says in its first budget it will pay great attention to medical tourism, finalization, publication, and implementation of medical tourism policies and strategies.
“In this respect, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will be renovated into a super-modern Quaternary Specialist Hospital to reduce reliance on medical care and training abroad.
“In addition, HO Teaching Hospitals will be upgraded, providing comprehensive specialized services and improving community access to advanced healthcare.”
HO Educational Hospital
Strategically located to serve the Volta region and beyond, with the vision of becoming a medical tourism centre through innovative healthcare, HO Teaching Hospital (HTH) is already loved by clients in neighboring Togo, Benin and Nigeria.
Recently, the hospital has commissioned five new facilities, including a family health centre, a pharmacy complex and the HTH Annex to enhance its healthcare delivery.
Surrounded by greenery, greenery and calm environments, Ho Teaching Hospital Annex offers a peaceful and soothing atmosphere for patients, visitors and healthcare professionals. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens, towering trees and vibrant tropical plants, the annex combines the excellence of modern healthcare with the tranquility of nature.
The hospital's vast green space provides a calming retreat and promotes both physical and mental well-being. Patients recovering from treatment can enjoy fresh air, calm the natural scenery, and enjoy a quiet atmosphere that enhances the healing process. The bird's cry, gentle rustling of the leaves and well-maintained landscapes create an oasis of comfort and relaxation, and stand out as an ideal destination for health and medical tourism.
With its eco-friendly design and spacious sidewalk, Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is not just a medical facility, but a sanctuary where nature and medicine come together to promote overall healing.
While this is encouraging, it is important for the government to help these hospitals undergo an international accreditation process, to increase trust and build brand visibility.
The government should also implement a favorable medical travel policy to encourage clients to choose Ghana for medical tourism.
Coordination units should also be created within the Ministry of Health to promote the health tourism agenda.
Institutions with the right legislation (parliamentary law and corresponding legislative means) can also be created to manage the fast-growing sector.
Conclusion
With proper investments in healthcare infrastructure, international accreditation and marketing/branding, Ghana can become a medical tourism destination in Africa.
By leveraging the appeal of affordability, quality care and tourism, the country can attract many medical travelers seeking world-class care in a welcoming and culturally rich environment.
The author is the medical tourism coordinator at Ho Teaching Hospital.
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