The Africa Medical Tourism Council has identified medical tourism as a major economic opportunity capable of significantly boosting Ghana’s national revenue if developed as a coordinated national product.
Speaking at a media engagement, Dr. Koby Appiah-Sakyi, President of the Council, said medical tourism should not be viewed as a private healthcare initiative but a national agenda that promotes Ghana as a destination for quality medical care.
According to him, medical tourists spend far more than general tourists, making the sector a high-value contributor to the economy. While the average leisure tourist spends about US$1,200 per visit, medical tourists spend between US$3,000 and US$10,000 per trip. He disclosed that Ghana already receives between 30,000 and 40,000 medical tourists annually, a figure he believes can be significantly increased through collaboration and strategic investment.
Dr. Appiah-Sakyi explained that the Council was formed two years ago following engagements with key healthcare facilities in Accra, leading to the creation of a collaborative body to promote Ghana’s medical tourism potential. The group later undertook assessment visits to Nigeria and Turkey to study successful medical tourism models, particularly Turkey’s strong partnership between government and both public and private healthcare providers.
He said the Council has since established an office, developed service standards and codes of practice, signed memoranda of understanding with partner health facilities, launched a website, and actively engaged stakeholders locally and internationally.
He stressed that medical tourism thrives on collaboration among hospitals, hotels, transport providers, concierge services, and government agencies, noting that stronger coordination enhances Ghana’s competitiveness in the global healthcare market.
