By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to assist him with the documentation and visa process to enable him to travel to the United States for further treatment of a persistent wound on his face.
According to Kwaku Bonsam, the condition has made it difficult for him to sleep and has persisted despite previous treatment and medication.
He is seeking to return to Harlem Hospital in New York, where he previously received treatment for some of his facial injuries. He says doctors there could perform a skin graft to address the wound and resulting scar.
In a video shared on Facebook, Kwaku Bonsam said his immediate priority is to find a lasting solution to the condition.
«“I find it very difficult to sleep at night,” he said.»
He appealed to the President and the Foreign Affairs Minister to help him obtain the necessary travel documentation, including an official letter that could support his visa application.
Kwaku Bonsam stressed that he is not asking the government to finance his medical treatment.
“I will pay all the expenses myself. All I need is for the authorities to help me acquire a visa,” he said.
The traditional priest explained that he had previously received treatment for part of his facial injuries at a hospital in the United States and believes returning to the facility would give him an opportunity to undergo the skin graft he requires.
“I was able to treat this part of my face at a hospital in the US, so they should help me acquire a visa to enable me to travel to the US to undergo a skin graft at Harlem Hospital. I will pay all the expenses myself,” he said.
Kwaku Bonsam also disclosed that he recently completed a course of medication prescribed by a physician but did not experience the improvement he had hoped for.
He said the medication cost approximately GH¢6,200.
“Recently, a physician prescribed some drugs for me which cost about GH¢6,200. I completed the course, but my condition has still not improved,” he stated.
He added that he is concerned about taking additional medication that could trigger an allergic reaction and would prefer to pursue the treatment he believes is necessary for the wound.
For now, Kwaku Bonsam’s appeal is focused on securing the documentation and visa assistance required to travel to the United States, where he hopes to undergo further treatment at Harlem Hospital.
