President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a state-of-the-art PET Scan facility at the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre in Accra, describing the development as a transformative step towards strengthening Ghana’s healthcare delivery system and achieving medical sovereignty.
The commissioning ceremony brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, education sector stakeholders and members of the diplomatic community, all of whom hailed the facility as a major boost to cancer diagnosis and treatment in Ghana.
Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasized the importance of investing in modern healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing medical needs of Ghanaians and reduce dependence on foreign medical services.
According to the President, the newly commissioned PET Scan centre represents a critical advancement in Ghana’s fight against cancer and other complex diseases that require advanced imaging and early diagnosis.
He noted that the availability of such cutting-edge medical technology in Ghana would significantly improve early detection rates, enhance treatment outcomes and save countless lives through timely medical intervention.
President Mahama explained that many Ghanaians are often forced to travel abroad at huge financial cost to access specialized diagnostic procedures, a situation he believes must change through strategic local investments in healthcare infrastructure.
He stated that the PET Scan facility would not only serve Ghanaian patients but could also position Ghana as a preferred medical destination for patients across the West African sub-region seeking advanced healthcare services.
The President described the project as evidence that Ghana is capable of building a world-class healthcare system when government and private institutions collaborate effectively towards national development.
He further praised the management of the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre for their commitment to innovation, professionalism and patient-centered healthcare delivery.
President Mahama also commended the Ghana National Association of Teachers and its partners for supporting initiatives that contribute to the wellbeing of Ghanaians through investments in health and social development.
He stressed that healthcare remains one of the key pillars of his administration’s broader national transformation agenda, alongside education, housing and economic empowerment.
As part of his address, the President announced several major healthcare interventions expected to be rolled out across the country in the coming years.
These interventions, he said, include the construction of new regional hospitals and the expansion of critical healthcare infrastructure to improve access to quality medical services in underserved areas.
President Mahama also revealed plans to establish additional CAT laboratories across the country to strengthen emergency and specialized medical care delivery.
Beyond healthcare, the President outlined major initiatives targeted at improving education and teacher welfare nationwide.
He disclosed that government is pursuing extensive teacher housing projects aimed at providing decent accommodation for educators, particularly those serving in deprived communities.
According to him, improving teacher welfare remains essential to raising educational standards and ensuring quality learning outcomes for Ghanaian children.
President Mahama further highlighted the government’s ambitious 300 million dollar STARR-J initiative, which is expected to address infrastructure deficits in the education sector and permanently end the double-track system by the year 2027.
He explained that the initiative would focus on expanding school facilities, improving learning environments and creating opportunities for more students to access uninterrupted secondary education.
The President concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive Ghana where access to quality healthcare, improved education and better living conditions become realities for every citizen.
