Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Acting CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, have come under scrutiny after their past criticism of government officials seeking medical treatment abroad resurfaced.
Their previous stance has been brought back into focus following news that Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is set to travel outside Ghana for further medical care after falling ill on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Reports indicate that the Vice President was initially admitted to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Saturday, where she received treatment.
However, after an assessment by medical experts, it was advised that she seek specialized care abroad.
This development has sparked renewed debate, as many recall how both Ablakwa and Gyampo strongly opposed government officials receiving treatment outside Ghana back in 2021.
At the time, they argued that such actions reflected a lack of confidence in the country’s healthcare system and insisted that public officials should be treated locally to encourage investment in Ghana’s medical sector.
With Vice President Opoku-Agyemang now traveling for medical attention, critics have questioned whether Ablakwa and Gyampo’s views have changed or if they are now contradicting their earlier stance.
Some have accused them of hypocrisy, pointing out that they once condemned others for doing what their own government is now facilitating.
However, supporters of the Vice President argue that her case is different, as her doctors made the recommendation based on medical necessity rather than personal preference.
They emphasize that even leaders from developed nations occasionally seek specialized medical care abroad when needed.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the state of Ghana’s healthcare system, with many urging the government to prioritize investments in local hospitals to reduce dependency on foreign treatment. While the government has not officially commented on the matter, the debate continues to stir reactions among the public.
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