President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a state-of-the-art PET scan facility at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) in Accra.
He described it as a major step forward in Ghana’s healthcare delivery and cancer treatment efforts.
According to the President, the new diagnostic centre will improve early detection of cancers and other complex medical conditions while reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for specialised medical services.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, President Mahama said the facility marks “a new chapter in Ghana’s healthcare journey” anchored on innovation, accessibility and scientific advancement.
“Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of a machine. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s healthcare journey,” he stated.
The President explained that PET scan technology represents one of the most advanced frontiers in modern medicine because it enables doctors to detect diseases at the cellular and metabolic levels.
“This means diseases, particularly cancers, can be detected much earlier, staged more accurately and monitored more effectively even during treatment,” he said.
President Mahama noted that for many years, Ghanaians seeking such specialised diagnostic services had to travel abroad at huge financial and emotional costs.
“Today we make a bold national statement that this facility must not only make it unnecessary for Ghanaians to seek such services abroad but also make Ghana a hub for specialist medical services in our West African sub-region,” he added.
He expressed optimism that patients from neighbouring countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso and Nigeria would eventually access specialised services at the facility.
The President further encouraged the private sector to invest in advanced healthcare infrastructure to complement government’s efforts in improving medical care and positioning Ghana as a centre for medical tourism.
“We invite the private sector to emulate this example and invest in advanced medical care facilities to supplement government’s efforts,” he noted.
President Mahama also disclosed that the facility will be registered under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Care, to support cancer patients seeking treatment.
“This facility will be registered under the Mahama Care Fund as one of the recognised oncology centres for the treatment of cancer patients,” he announced.
The President commended the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers and the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre for what he described as a visionary investment in healthcare.
He stressed that the project demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the well-being of citizens across the country.
Source: Mubarak Yakubu
