The Member of Parliament for Sissala West, Mohammed Sukparu, has disclosed that a significant number of Ghanaian lawmakers are struggling with serious health challenges, particularly high blood pressure, as a result of the intense demands of their work as per reports from ModernGhana on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
He estimates that between 70 to 80 percent of his fellow MPs, regardless of age, are living with hypertension due to the high-pressure environment they operate in.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily programme, Mr Sukparu expressed concern over the toll their responsibilities are taking on their health.
He cited recent deaths among MPs as a worrying trend that points to broader health issues within Parliament, referencing the sudden demise of Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who passed away on Monday after a brief illness.
“If you see that Chamber, I can tell you that more than 70 to 80 percent of the parliamentarians are BP patients, including the young ones,” he revealed.
The Sissala West MP also raised issues with the current healthcare arrangement for members of Parliament, describing it as inadequate and stressful.
He criticized the bureaucracy involved in accessing medical reimbursement, stating that MPs are required to pay upfront for treatment and wait for a committee to review and approve claims.
According to him, this system puts additional pressure on MPs, especially those who may be unwell but unable to afford immediate care.
He questioned what would happen if an MP fell sick and lacked the funds for treatment, calling for reforms to address the issue.
Mr Sukparu emphasized the need for a national conversation on the welfare and health support available to public officials.