Gov’t pledges to fund overseas medical treatment for GAF recruitment stampede victim

The government has pledged to cover the cost of overseas medical treatment for Sandra Baafi Boateng, a young woman who was severely injured during a chaotic military recruitment exercise last year, should local specialists recommend it.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, provided an update on Ms. Baafi Boateng’s condition to Parliament on Monday, March 9, outlining the extensive care she has received and the government’s commitment to her full recovery.

Ms. Baafi Boateng was critically injured during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment drive on November 12, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The incident, which involved a stampede, has left her bedridden as she continues a lengthy and difficult treatment process.

According to Mr. Akandoh, the Ministry of Health has been working closely with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to coordinate specialist care. He assured the House that the government is covering all associated medical expenses to alleviate any financial pressure on her family.

The Minister detailed her medical journey, noting that after initial treatment and stabilization at KATH, she was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on February 26, 2026, to access advanced medical care. She is currently under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, with a recovery programme that includes both rehabilitation and social support services.

“We are considering all available treatment options, both within Ghana and internationally, to ensure she receives the best possible medical care,” Mr. Akandoh stated. He emphasized that the government is prepared to facilitate and fund treatment abroad immediately if her doctors determine it is the necessary course of action.

The Health Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ms. Baafi Boateng through her recovery, stating that all required steps are being taken to expedite her treatment process.