Kofi Kapito Proposes Law to Bar State-Funded Medical Trips Abroad for Officials
CPA boss says proposed legislation would force leaders to invest in and rely on Ghana’s healthcare system.
- Kapito proposes ban on state-funded medical trips for officials.
- Says leaders should use local hospitals or pay privately.
- Comments follow public outrage over hospital bed shortages.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Kofi Kapito, has called for legislation to prevent government officials from seeking medical treatment abroad at the expense of the state.
Mr. Kapito argued that public office holders — including the President — should only travel outside Ghana for healthcare if they are paying with their own private funds. He maintained that such a law would compel leaders to prioritize improvements in the country’s healthcare system.
According to him, the practice of flying senior officials abroad for treatment weakens efforts to strengthen local hospitals. He suggested that if top government officials were required to rely solely on domestic medical facilities, it would create urgency to upgrade infrastructure and services.
Mr. Kapito drew comparisons with European countries, asserting that leaders there depend on their national healthcare systems rather than seeking treatment abroad. He argued that reliance on foreign medical care signals systemic failure and should not be normalized.
His remarks come amid public debate following the death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, who reportedly struggled to secure a hospital bed after sustaining severe injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Accra. The incident has intensified calls for reforms and greater investment in Ghana’s healthcare system.
