Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore constituency, has slammed the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the health condition of the Vice President of Ghana, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, according to a statement from the Presidency, will travel abroad for medical treatment after reportedly falling sick on Friday, March 28.

The veep was admitted at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Saturday, but “based on expert medical opinion, she will be seeking further care abroad”.

This update on the Vice President’s health status was made public on Sunday, March 30, via a press statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

Reacting to this report, Dr Ayew Afriye wished Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang a speedy recovery but took a swipe at his political opponents who politicized and ridiculed the former Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, when he found himself in a similar situation.

Dr Bawumia, in 2018, flew to the United Kingdom to seek medical attention but members of the incumbent government lambasted him and the previous administration for not relying on Ghana’s health facilities.

One of the critics was Professor Ransford Gyampo, then a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana and currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority cum a devout NDC member.

“…why in London?”, he queried in a Facebook post, adding “leaders in Ghana have the penchant for touting their achievements in building our infrastructure. Yet they are the first to show us through their actions that our, particularly our health facilities, are nothing to write home about”.

Prof Gyampo further kicked against Dr Bawumia’s medical leave abroad, saying “they easily fly out to the U.K and South Africa to seek medical attention at the slightest illness…I believe the Veep is in the U.K. to rest…But the resting could have taken place at a hideout in Ghana outside the noisy and busy environment in Accra”.

Other NDC loyalists followed suit and vehemently criticized Dr. Bawumia’s move to the UK for healthcare.

Juxtaposing these criticisms and the latest development about the country’s current Vice President, Dr Ayew Afriye, has warned the political class, especially the National Democratic Congress, about using the health conditions of the leaders, specifically the President and Vice President, to score political points.

He admonished them to take a cue from what has happened regarding Ghana’s first female Vice President also sought medical treatment abroad upon the advice of health experts.

“Your Excellency, I wish you a speedy recovery. Regardless of your situation, we can't do politics with anyone's health. In the past, some NDC folks used all manner of arguments justifying why patient records of government officials should be made public, something I disagree with…Prof., Come back home safely.”

“Also, others felt there was no need to seek advanced care abroad for highly placed persons in government, as they deemed it a waste of taxpayers' money. This is a case of the chicken is home to roast”, he commented.

He described such assertions as “needless and overtly political”, stressing, “to those political pastors, please spare us some peace. To those NDC folks who played politics with health in the past, shame on you”.

Read Dr Ayew Afriye’s full submissions on Vice President Naana Opoku-Agyemang‘s medical condition below:

Your Excellency I wish you a speedy recovery. Regardless of your situation, we can't do politics with anyone's health. In the past some NDC folks used all manner of arguments justifying why patient records of government officials should be made public, something I disagree with.

Also, others felt there was no need to seek advance care abroad for highly placed persons in government as they deemed it, a waste of taxpayers money. This is a case of the chicken is home to roast.

Those comments were needless and overtly political. Folks, as we strive to modernise our Healthcare institutions, we must admit the gaps with respect to sub-specialty care. Eventually, we will get there. But for now, we can only wish our Vice President well. Madam, speedy recovery & all the best.

To those political pastors, please spare us some peace. To those NDC folks who played politics with health in the past, shame on you. Good fellows, may we not politicize this situation? Prof. Come back home safely.

I don't ever know you, I don't belong to your party but as a Ranking member on health and a Ghanaian who has sworn to be faithful and loyal to Ghana my motherland, Ghana matters to me and you matter to us in these difficult times. All the best, we care and love you.