By Stephen Takyi
Published: May 13, 2026
ACCRA – President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan facility at the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) in Accra. According to the President, this development represents progress toward strengthening Ghana’s capacity for advanced medical diagnostics and improving healthcare delivery.
The PET Scan is an advanced imaging technology primarily used for detecting cancer and heart disease. The facility is expected to enhance early cancer detection, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the need for patients to seek specialized diagnostic services outside the country.
A Vision for a Regional Medical Hub
At the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama stated that the facility is intended to serve both domestic healthcare needs and support Ghana’s role as a potential medical destination within West Africa.
Broad National Interventions
In addition to the medical center, the President outlined several initiatives intended to strengthen the country’s social infrastructure. He reiterated the government’s commitment to integrating healthcare, housing, and education within its development agenda.
Key announcements included:
- Healthcare Expansion: Plans for the construction of new regional hospitals and the installation of additional Catheterization Laboratories (CAT labs) across the country to manage cardiovascular emergencies.
- The STARR-J Initiative: A $300 million project designed to expand secondary education infrastructure. The President pledged that this initiative would effectively end the “double-track” system by 2027, ensuring a more stable academic calendar.
- Teacher Welfare and Housing: A new commitment to teacher housing projects, intended to provide educators with decent living conditions and incentivize service in rural areas.
Commending Private-Sector Partnership
President Mahama acknowledged the contributions of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the management of the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre, noting the collaboration as an example of partnership between labor organizations, private entities, and the state in advancing national development.
The President concluded by stating that quality healthcare and teacher welfare are central to his administration’s policy priorities. He encouraged SGMC management to maintain the facility to international standards to support patients in Ghana and the wider West African region.
