Ghana | Focusing on Medical Tourism as a High - Value Growth Sector

Ghana is focusing on medical tourism with the aim to position itself as a premier West African medical tourism hub to drive high - value economic growth, targeting an additional 200.000 visitors annually by leveraging its existing 50.000 medical arrivals and $4.8 in tourism revenue. 

The strategy of the African country focuses on superior patient experiences, leveraging high - spending medical tourists ($8.000 - $20.000 per trip), and public - private partnerships to build accredited infrastructure. 

The African Medical Tourism Council (AMTC) has convened a high level stakeholder engagement in the capital of the country Accra to advance Ghana’s ambitions as a leading medical tourism destination in the region. 

Led by AMTC President Dr. Koby Appiah - Sakyi, the meeting brought together healthcare providers, hospitality operators, and travel service stakeholders to align strategies and deepen cross - sector collaboration.  

Since its formation two years ago, the Council has established an executive body, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with participating institutions, developed service standars, and launched efforts to onboard non - medical providers, including hotels and car rental companies, to ensure a consistent patient experience. 

The economic ease for medical tourism is compelling. Ghana recorded approximately $4.8 billion in tourism revenue and 1.4 international arrivals in 2025, and currently receives an estimated 50.000 medical tourists annually. 

While the average regular tourist spends around $4.000 per trip, medical tourists typically spend between $8.000 and $20.000, depending on the procedures involved.

The African Medical Tourism Council believes attracting additional medical tourists could significantly boost national revenue, and is drawing on models from Thailand and Turkey, where coordinated public - private ecosystems have driven substantial growth to shape Ghana’s approach. 

Key Features of Ghana’s Medical Tourism Growth: 

•    Stakeholder Collaboration: The Africa Medical Tourism Council (AMTC) is aligning health providers, hospitality, and travel services to create a seamless patient experience. 
•    High - Value Economics: Medical tourists spend double or more compared to regular tourists, providing foreign exchange and creating jobs. 
•    Infrastructure and Capacity Upgrades: Plans include upgrading major facilities like Korle – Bu Teaching Hospital and enhancing the capacity of centres like Ho Teaching Hospital to offer specialized care. 
•    Targeted Care Areas: The focus is on attracting international patients, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, for specialized surgeries, diagnostic services, and wellness treatments. 
•    Quality and Accreditation: A core focus is establishing regulatory frameworks and obtaining international accreditation for hospitals to ensure trust and safety. 
•    Public - Private Partnerships (PPP): Following models from Thailand and Turkey, Ghana is engaging private sector players for investment in medical equipment and facilities. 

The initiative is designed to turn the sector into a “gold mine” while strengthening the local healthcare system. 

Stakeholders identified infrastructure investment, regulatory frameworks, and international marketing as key priorities to realsiing the sector’s potential. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/ghana-eyes-medical-tourism-as-high-value-growth-sector.html