Outspoken radio personality Abubakar Ahmed, better known as Blakk Rasta, has expressed strong disapproval over the decision to send the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, to abroad for medical treatment.
Blakk Rasta’s comments come after it was revealed that the Vice President had been taken to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Friday evening due to sudden illness and later advised to seek medical care outside the country.
She is believed to be current in the United States where is undergoing undisclosed treatment.
Speaking on his show on 3FM, the Reggae musician questioned the validity of the claim that UGMC could not adequately handle Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s health condition.
“We were told that Friday evening, Professor Naana Jane, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, was taken suddenly ill and rushed to UGMC for treatment,” Blakk Rasta began.
“And over there, it has been said that she needs to be flown outside the country for better treatment.”
The radio presenter raised concerns about whether the directive to seek foreign medical care was genuinely issued by the doctors at UGMC.
“This directive is coming from the Doctor at UGMC? Did the doctors say they are unable to handle the situation? Is it beyond them, and therefore, this person would be flown outside the country for medical attention?” Blakk Rasta questioned.
He further inquired whether the decision to seek treatment abroad was based on the whims of the Vice President’s office rather than medical necessity.
“Or is it by the whims and caprices of the office of the Vice President to be flown out of the country for medical treatment because the white man is always right and the black man is always wrong?” he asked rhetorically.
The radio presenter voiced his frustration with the recurring trend of Ghanaian leaders seeking medical care abroad despite the country’s growing healthcare infrastructure.
He lamented, “It is shameful that some public officials in all the past and present governments have abandoned the hospitals and doctors in the country and seek medical attention from foreign countries.”
He stressed that while the government may focus on building hospitals, there is a dire need for adequately trained doctors and nurses, as well as the proper medical equipment, to operate these facilities effectively.
Blakk Rasta then made a broader statement about the lack of faith in the country’s healthcare system.
“We saw Nana Akufo-Addo flying out of this country night and day to seek medical attention. Dr Bawumia did the same thing,” he pointed out.
“My brother, are we just building hospitals without the requisite doctors and nurses to run those places?”
He questioned the broader mindset of relying on foreign healthcare systems, stating, “Are we still colonial-minded, and that anytime we are sick, we should seek treatment from our colonial masters?”
Blakk Rasta also referenced comments made by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who, during his time in opposition, advocated for a ban on politicians seeking medical care abroad.
He recalled Ablakwa’s stance, which he believed was in the best interest of the Ghanaian people.
“I remember Hon. Ablakwa in opposition, saying that politicians must be banned from flying outside the country for medical attention. And I believe he said it in the good interest of Ghanaians,” Blakk Rasta indicated.
