Some the doctors-turned-politicians
Medicine and politics may appear to be two distinct professions, but throughout the history of Ghana, several doctors have successfully transitioned from treating patients to shaping public policy.
These doctors have left their hard-earned skills, which they trained for several years, and the prestige and respect that come with them, to venture into politics, which is often perceived as being marred by corruption and a shortcut to unexplained wealth.
While Ghana is yet to have a medical doctor as President, it has had ministers, lawmakers, Chief Executive Officers, and local government leaders—doctors-turned-politicians who have left a significant mark on the governance of the country.
Here are a few medical doctors who dared to veer into politics:
Dr Stephen Opuni
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni is a medical doctor by training.
He served as COCOBOD CEO from November 2013 to January 2017 under the administration of John Dramani Mahama.
Before his appointment to COCOBOD, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
After leaving office, he became the subject of a high-profile legal battle over alleged financial loss to the state but was acquitted and discharged after the state withdrew all charges against him in 2025.
The late Dr Edward Omane Boamah:
The late former Minister of Defence was also a medical doctor. Dr Omane Boamah played a very vital role in the 2024 election victory of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Director of IT and Elections.
He previously served in key positions in the NDC government, including the role of Minister for Communications from 2013 to 2017.
Dr Omane Boamah died in a helicopter crash in Adansi on August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of seven others who were on route to an official government engagement.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings:
Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings is a medical doctor and the current Member of Parliament for the Klottey-Korle Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
Dr Agyemang-Rawlings, a trained physician from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, is currently the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Security and Intelligence.
She is also the Second Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh:
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, is also a medical doctor.
He has held several ministerial positions, including Minister for Education and later Minister for Energy under the Akufo-Addo government.
Dr Opoku Prempeh was selected as the running mate to the NPP presidential candidate for the 2024 election, which the party lost.
Dr Ayew Afriye
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the current New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency in the Ashanti Region, is also a trained physician.
In Parliament, he serves as the Ranking Member on the Health Committee. He also served as the Middle Belt Campaign Coordinator of the NPP for the 2024 election.
He previously served as the Head of Institutional Public Health and the Chief Executive Officer of St John Hospital and Fertility Centre.
Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye:
Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye is one of the very few doctors who has served as a Member of Parliament, a minister of state, and Chief Executive Officer of a state institution.
He previously served as the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He has also served as Deputy Minister for Health and later as Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
He subsequently served as the substantive Minister of Health.
Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng:
Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is an internationally acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon and the first Ghanaian to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He played a pioneering role in establishing modern cardiothoracic surgery in Ghana.
He served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation under the government of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He previously contested in two presidential primaries of his party, the NPP, which he lost.
Dr Grace Ayenso Danquah
Dr Grace Ayenso Danquah, the current Deputy Minister of Health, is also a medical doctor.
She is the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region.
She holds multiple degrees from a number of prestigious institutions in the US, including the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Johns Hopkins University.
Prof Titus K. Beyuo
Prof Titus K. Beyuo, the current Member of Parliament for the Lambussie Constituency, is also a medical doctor. He is a trained obstetrician and gynaecologist.
In addition to his role as MP, he serves as the Board Chairman of the nation’s premier hospital, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane:
Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane is a medical doctor and the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for the Nabdam Constituency in the Upper East Region.
He holds a medical degree from the Institute of Medicine and Hygiene in St. Petersburg, Russia, and an MBA in Healthcare Management from the Paris Graduate School of Management.
He is the Chairman of the Select Committee on Health in Parliament.
Dr Thomas Winsum:
Dr Thomas Winsum, the Member of Parliament for Garu Constituency in the Upper East Region, is also a medical doctor.
Dr Winsum is a specialist anaesthesiologist with extensive training in Cuba, Italy, and Ghana.
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