Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the Effiduase-Asokore constituency, has suffered from selective amnesia, while criticising the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for acting differently on the emergency health condition of the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The Herald, has been informed that the stress of an intense election-year campaign and the pressure of forming a new government, have compelled the 73-year-old Vice President, to seek further medical treatment in the United Kingdom (UK), reportedly for a cardiac-related issue.
This follows initial care at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
A statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, confirmed that the Vice President, had fallen ill after work on Friday, 28 March 2025.
Reacting to this development, Dr Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member on Health in Ghana Parliament, wished Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, a speedy recovery, but simultaneously criticised his political opponents.
He recalled how some members of the governing NDC, politicised and ridiculed the former Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, when he found himself in a similar situation.
Dr Ayew Afriye, reportedly one of the largest suppliers of medicines to state hospitals, completely overlooked his party’s history of engaging in partisan politics regarding the health of President John Evans Atta Mills, both before the 2008 elections and throughout his presidency, until his death in July 2012.
Mills was frequently rumoured to have died in South Africa before the 2008 polls. Freddie Blay’s Daily Guide and Gabby Asare-Darko and Nana Akufo-Addo’s New Statesman newspapers, consistently published stories about the health of the NDC presidential candidate.
Additionally, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), an NPP-affiliated group once led by Dr Ayew Afriye, was among those who pushed narratives about Mills’ health. The situation escalated to the point, where the NDC debated replacing Mills before the 2008 election.
A statement from the Presidency, confirmed that Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, would travel abroad for medical treatment after reportedly falling ill on Friday, 28 March 2025.
The statement noted: “The Vice President, Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, received treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Saturday due to a sudden illness that occurred after work on Friday, 28 March 2025. Based on expert medical opinion, she will be seeking further care abroad. We wish the Vice President a speedy recovery.”
In 2018, Dr Bawumia, flew to the United Kingdom to seek medical attention, prompting fierce criticism from the then-opposition NDC.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, then a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Ghana and now the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, and a staunch member of the NDC, said this about Dr Bawumia.
“Why in London?” he queried in a Facebook post, adding, “Leaders in Ghana have the penchant for touting their achievements in building our infrastructure. Yet, they are the first to show us through their actions that our health facilities are nothing to write home about.”
Prof. Gyampo, further opposed Dr Bawumia’s medical leave abroad, stating, “They easily fly out to the UK and South Africa to seek medical attention at the slightest illness…” I believe the Veep is in the UK to rest… But the resting could have taken place at a hideout in Ghana outside the noisy and busy environment in Accra.”
Other NDC loyalists followed suit, vehemently criticising Dr Bawumia’s decision to seek medical care in the UK.
Contrasting these with the latest development regarding the current Vice President, Dr Ayew Afriye, cautioned the political class, especially the NDC, against using the health conditions of leaders—specifically the President and Vice President—as a means to score political points.
He urged them to learn from the situation involving Ghana’s first female Vice President, who is now seeking medical treatment abroad at the advice of health experts.
“Your Excellency, I wish you a speedy recovery. Regardless of your situation, we cannot do politics with anyone’s health. In the past, some NDC folks used all manner of arguments justifying why patient records of government officials should be made public—something I disagree with.”
He continued: “Also, others felt there was no need to seek advanced care abroad for highly placed persons in government, as they deemed it a waste of taxpayers’ money. This is a case of the chicken coming home to roost.”
Describing such assertions as “needless and overtly political,” Dr Ayew Afriye added: “To those political pastors, please spare us some peace. To those NDC folks who played politics with health in the past, shame on you.”
He concluded: “Good fellows, may we not politicise this situation. Prof, come back home safely. I do not know you personally, nor do I belong to your party, but as a Ranking Member on Health and a Ghanaian who has sworn to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, my motherland, Ghana matters to me, and you matter to us in these difficult times. All the best—we care and love you.”
Read Dr Ayew Afriye’s full submissions on Vice President Naana Opoku-Agyemang‘s medical condition below:
Your Excellency I wish you a speedy recovery. Regardless of your situation, we can’t do politics with anyone’s health. In the past some NDC folks used all manner of arguments justifying why patient records of government officials should be made public, something I disagree with.
Also, others felt there was no need to seek advance care abroad for highly placed persons in government as they deemed it, a waste of tax payers money. This is a case of the chicken is home to roast.
Those comments were needless and overtly political. Folks, as we strive to modernise our Healthcare institutions we must admit the gaps with respect to sub specialty care. Eventually we will get there. But for now, we can only wish our Vice President well. Madam speedy recovery & all the best.
To those political pastors please spare us some peace. To those NDC folks who played politics with health in the past, shame on you. Good fellows, may we not politicize this situation. Prof. Come back home safely.
I don’t ever know you, I don’t belong to your party but as a Ranking member on health and a Ghanaian who has sworn to be faithful and loyal to Ghana my motherland, Ghana matters to me and you matter to us in this difficult times. All the best, we care and love you.