Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof. Agyeman Badu-Akosa, has expressed strong disapproval of the practice where politicians and senior public officials seek medical care abroad whenever they fall sick.
Over the years, it has become common for politicians, including the president and senior government appointees, to quickly seek medical care abroad, usually in Europe, whenever they are unwell.
Speaking in an interview in a video shared on social media, the outspoken medical practitioner condemned this practice, calling on politicians to endeavor to equip medical facilities across the country to international standards so they can receive treatment locally.
“Why should any public officer, politician, or senior public official be allowed to travel outside to seek healthcare? Do they disrespect those of us who are medically qualified professionals in this country? If you look at the budget for external medical treatment, why are we not prepared to ensure that there are MRIs in every region, that there are CT scans?” he questioned.
Prof. Badu-Akosa further stated: “Whether you like it or not, healthcare is expensive, and when they go out there, they pay through their nostrils. So why can’t we develop our healthcare system here? If the president falls ill and is admitted to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital or the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), what will happen? Are there no competent doctors to take care of them? There are.”
Belated 68th Independence Anniversary! We must demand answers from our leaders! Why? pic.twitter.com/TfD23iJbz5
— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) March 7, 2025
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Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below: