Ghana Eyes Medical Tourism as High-Value Growth Sector
The Africa Medical Tourism Council (AMTC) has convened a high-level stakeholder engagement in Accra to advance Ghana's ambitions as a leading medical tourism destination in West Africa. 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 MoUs with participating institutions, developed service standards, and launched efforts to onboard non-medical providers - including hotels and car rental companies - to ensure a consistent patient experience.
The economic case for medical tourism is compelling. Ghana recorded approximately $4.8 billion in tourism revenue and 1.4 million 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 AMTC believes attracting an additional 200,000 medical tourists could significantly boost national revenue, and is drawing on models from Turkey and Thailand - where coordinated public-private ecosystems have driven substantial growth - to shape Ghana's approach. Stakeholders identified infrastructure investment, regulatory frameworks, and international marketing as key priorities to realising the sector's potential.
Source: VoyagesAfriq