By A.B. Kafui Kanyi
A former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a few weeks ago, wondered why any politician or senior public officer be allowed to travel out to go and seek healthcare?
“Whether you like it or not, health is expensive and when they go out, they pay through their nose so why can’t we develop here? If the President is not well and is admitted to UGMC or to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, what will happen? There are no competent doctors to look after them? There are.”
These sentiments are not new and perhaps their reemergence is to drive home the call for Ghana to invest heavily in the health sector to make the country the premier medical tourism hub for the West African sub-region.
Interestingly, successive governments have been talking about the concept of making Ghana a medical tourism destination, what is left is actualizing the dream of benefitting from the projected 55.83-billion-dollar medical tourism market according to Statista 2025.
Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, UK, Dubai, and India are ranked among top medical tourism destinations.
In Africa, South Africa is the leader as a medical tourist destination. Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt are up in North Africa attracting European patients. Kenya is also striving in East Africa, with not much happening in West Africa.
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is attracting some foreign clients for heart surgeries, but in the larger scheme of things, a lot needs to be done to stop Ghanaians and other Africans from travelling outside the continent for such services and to also attract more clients from outside Africa.
Ghana’s Potential:
Ghana has significant potential to become a thriving medical tourism destination due to its strategic location. The country’s geographical position – close to the Prime Meridian and the Equator – near the centre of the Earth-makes it a convenient destination for medical tourists from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, with relatively short flight times compared to other medical tourism hubs.
Also, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), arguably a regional aviation hub, offers direct and connecting flights from major global cities, with the country’s warm temperature all year-round aiding post-treatment recovery for patients from colder regions who seek a stress-free healing environment.
With the growing demand for wellness and alternative medicine, Ghana’s natural resources, including its serene environment, herbal medicine expertise, and wellness retreats, provide opportunities for medical tourists seeking holistic treatments.
Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and vibrant tourism industry can complement medical tourism by offering a holistic experience for international patients and their families.
The country’s Oxygen City, Ho, provides fresh air, natural landscapes, and a relaxing atmosphere that enhances 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 annually, with significant economic, healthcare, and socio-cultural benefits to the country.
Should the country offer high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries and established medical tourism destinations, it would become an attractive alternative for medical tourists.
Another strength is the country’s experienced consultants and specialists across the world who could be encouraged to come back to help develop and grow niche areas for medical tourism.
Benefits:
Medical tourism boosts foreign exchange earnings because medical tourists bring in foreign currency, which helps in strengthening the economy and supporting national development.
Increased demand for medical services will lead to more investments in hospitals, clinics, and advanced medical equipment and expansion of the healthcare system
Growth in medical tourism will also create thousands of jobs in healthcare, hospitality, transport, and tourism-related sectors, helping address the country’s unemployment challenge.
Government’s Intervention:
The refreshing news is that the Government promises to diversify tourism to include health/medical tourism and pledges to expand infrastructure and systems and promote strategic branding.
Interestingly, in its first budget, the Government says it will give significant attention to medical tourism, finalising, publishing, and implementing the Medical Tourism Policy and Strategy.
“In this regard, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will be refurbished into an ultramodern quaternary specialist hospital to reduce reliance on medical care and training abroad.
“Additionally, Ho Teaching Hospital will be upgraded to provide comprehensive specialist services, improving regional access to advanced medical care.”
Ho Teaching Hospital:
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), strategically located to serve the people of the Volta Region and beyond, with a vision to become a medical tourist center through innovative healthcare, is already patronised by clients from neighboring Republic of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
Recently, the Hospital commissioned five new facilities, including a family health centre, a pharmacy complex, and an HTH Annex to enhance healthcare delivery
The Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is nestled in a lush, green, and serene environment, offering a peaceful and healing atmosphere for patients, visitors, and medical professionals alike. Surrounded by well-manicured gardens, towering trees, and vibrant tropical plants, the Annex blends modern healthcare excellence with nature’s tranquility.
The Hospital’s expansive green spaces provide a calming retreat, promoting both physical and mental well-being. Patients recovering from treatment can enjoy fresh air, soothing natural scenery, and a quiet ambiance that enhances the healing process. The chirping of birds, gentle rustling of leaves, and a well-maintained landscape create an oasis of comfort and relaxation, setting it apart as an ideal destination for wellness and medical tourism.
With its eco-friendly design, and spacious walkways, the Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is not just a healthcare facility—it’s a sanctuary where nature and medicine come together to foster holistic healing.
While this is encouraging, it is important that the Government helps these hospitals to undergo international accreditation processes to boost trust and build brand visibility.
The government must also introduce favourable medical travel policies to encourage clients to choose Ghana for medical tourism.
A Coordinating Unit should also be created within the Ministry of Health to facilitate the health tourism agenda.
An Agency with appropriate legislation (Act of Parliament and its corresponding Legislative Instrument) can also be created to manage the fast-growing sector.
Conclusion:
With the right investments in healthcare infrastructure, international accreditation, and marketing/branding, Ghana can be the medical tourism destination in Africa.
By leveraging its affordability, quality care, and tourism appeal, the country can attract a growing number of medical travelers seeking world-class treatment in a welcoming and culturally rich environment.
The Writer is the Medical Tourism Coordinator, Ho Teaching Hospital.