The quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana is often called into question when compared to other parts of the world.

Citizens who can afford the services of hospitals abroad continue to patronize those facilities due to lack of trust in the country’s healthcare system.

Co-founder of Banahene Specialist Hospital, Emmanuel Kwame Banahene has said that Ghana loses millions of dollars annually to other countries due to poor healthcare delivery.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the opening of Banahene Specialist Hospital in Tema.

“My brother, Ebenezer Kwame Banahene and I visited Ghana sometime back and needed access to healthcare. Our families in US encouraged us to return to the States to get better healthcare. Our situation birthed the idea to build a modern facility to offer quality healthcare here,” he revealed.

“Our aim is to offer similar services being offered in the advanced countries where Ghanaians spend millions of dollars just to experience. This centre is equally for those who do not have the means to travel for healthcare,” he added.  

Despite successive governments’ investment in the health sector, the private sector is considered an important partner.

According to him, the country can improve the sector if government and investors put shoulders to the wheel.

The hospital founded by the twin brothers; Ebenezer Kwame Banahene and Emmanuel Kwame Banahene who are based in the US was in honour of their late mother who sacrificed her all to raise them.

The Banahene brothers who escaped death narrowly over ill health during their childhood are unhappy the country continues to record maternal and infant mortality.

Emmanuel Banahene indicated that several equipment including incubators, life-support machines, phototherapy machines among others at their hospital could help save lives.

The special guest for the occasion, Paramount Chief of  Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi (II) appealed to the diaspora to invest in the country as done by the Banahene brothers.

“I want to use this opportunity to encourage the staff to ensure this hospital is well-maintained and avoid pilfering, laziness, lateness to work and anything that is counterproductive”

“I also want directors and management to ensure the workers are well-motivated to put out their utmost best,” he advised.

He believes other people will be encouraged to invest if this hospital is able to generate profit and expand.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman said it is high time the country invested in medical tourism. 

“If you take India, recently Dubai and other places, they’ve focused on healthcare tourism and in Ghana it’s an area we could build some competitive advantage within West Africa,” he suggested.

For him, Banahene Specialist Hospital will augment health facilities which have been attracting patients into the country aside the positive image it gives Ghana when people are planning to visit the country.

The Authority is expecting huge numbers in terms of visitors towards December and hospitals such as Banahene will become a place for those who want better healthcare that meet international standards. .

He reiterated that ‘The Return’ project encourages people to come and invest in Ghana.

Banahene Specialist Hospital is expected to introduce robotic surgery in the months ahead.

Other invited guests in the health sector, security, traditional authorities among others were present.