Taking the step of becoming an international student in Ghana and moving with your spouse or children is a great move. It will be a very rewarding experience, but it will also require careful consideration, particularly when it comes to your family’s healthcare.
Ghana does not offer a national “student family insurance” program as do other countries (e.g., Australia has the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and the U.K. has access to the National Health Service). In short, there is not one policy that you can purchase and then just forget about.
Most long-term international student families instead utilize a two-tiered model:
- Local Ghanaian private health insurance plans for on-going care and emergency situations within Ghana
- International medical insurance plans to provide higher limits, to evacuate your family to another country if necessary, and to treat your family abroad if required
This article outlines this process in detail; provides examples of common insurers; identifies reasonable costs associated with each type of coverage; and offers tips for choosing an appropriate policy without paying too much or providing insufficient protection to your family.
Key Context: How Health Coverage Works for Foreigners in Ghana
Healthcare in Ghana is a mix of public and private systems. Understanding this mix is essential before choosing insurance.
Short-term stays (under six months)
Short-term foreign visitors in Ghana are usually required to register with a health insurance plan which is affiliated with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) that provides some level of coverage but is not intended to be a full-fledged, comprehensive, or long-term family protection program; it can better be described as a bare-bones safety net.
Long-term international students with dependants
Most international students staying longer than six months do not rely solely on public schemes. Instead, they typically use:
- A local private insurer for consultations, diagnostics, hospitalisation, and emergencies within Ghana
- An international insurer for evacuation, overseas treatment, and higher coverage limits
This combination reflects reality: good private care is available in Accra, Kumasi, and a few other cities, but advanced or highly specialised treatment may require travel.
Why “Local + International” Is Often Smarter Than One Big Global Plan
A single, fully comprehensive global family policy sounds appealing. In practice, it is often unnecessarily expensive for families living full-time in Ghana.Local insurers:
- Are far cheaper
- Have wide provider networks inside Ghana
- Understand local billing systems
- Offer cashless treatment at many hospitals
International insurers:
- Provide very high annual limits
- Cover evacuation and treatment abroad
- Offer continuity when travelling
- Protect against rare but catastrophic costs
Used together, they create balance.Used alone, each has weaknesses.
Top Local Family Health Insurance Options in Ghana
These Ghana-based insurers are commonly used by expatriates, NGOs, and international student families. They rarely advertise themselves as “student family plans,” but they accept foreign members.
1. Equity Health Insurance – Family & Student Plans
Equity is one of the most widely recognised private health insurers in Ghana.It offers:
- A Family Health Insurance Package covering GP visits, specialists, diagnostics, hospitalisation, surgery, and emergencies
- A Students’ Health Insurance Package, open to both local and international students
In practice, student families often place the student on the student plan and the spouse and children on the family plan.
Typical use and cost
Premiums depend on age, benefits, and provider network. However, local family plans in Ghana usually cost hundreds of USD per year, not thousands. This is a key advantage.
Best for
Families who want affordable, reliable access to private hospitals inside Ghana.
2. Acacia Health Insurance – Supercare & Family Plans
Acacia Health Insurance is part of Enterprise Group and is known for its extensive provider access.The Supercare Plan offers:
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Diagnostics and specialist services
- Access to over 500 accredited facilities nationwide
These plans are often arranged through institutions, employers, or organisations hosting foreign families.
Indicative cost
Pricing is negotiated but remains firmly in the local private insurance range, making it far cheaper than global expat plans.
Best for
Families living in major cities who want broad provider choice and strong inpatient benefits.
3. Cosmopolitan Health Insurance – Family Coverage
Cosmopolitan is an indigenous Ghanaian insurer with one of the largest provider networks in the country, covering all 16 regions.
Its family and organisational plans allow:
- Customisation of inpatient and outpatient limits
- Adjustments based on budget and risk tolerance
Indicative cost
Often used by NGOs and international organisations because it offers excellent value for money within Ghana.
Best for
Families outside central Accra who want wide geographic coverage.
International Student & Family Medical Plans That Work in Ghana
These insurers are not Ghana-specific, but they explicitly include Ghana within their coverage regions and have experience supporting claims in West Africa.
4. Cigna Global – Student & Expat Plans
Cigna Global offers flexible international health insurance suitable for students and families.Typical benefits include:
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Emergency treatment
- Optional prescriptions and vaccinations
- Telehealth services
- Global hospital networks
Costs (very rough guidance)
- Student-only hospital cover can start just under USD 1,000 per year
- Comprehensive family cover with low deductibles and worldwide access can reach several thousand USD per year
Best for
Families who want the option of overseas treatment and strong evacuation support.
5. Cigna Healthcare Africa – Regional African Plans
Cigna Healthcare Africa operates structured health solutions across multiple African countries, including Ghana.These plans are typically:
- Employer- or group-based
- Designed for regional portability
- Supported by established provider arrangements within Africa
While not always available to individuals directly, they demonstrate Cigna’s operational footprint in Ghana, which matters for claims handling.
6. Allianz Care – International Student Plans
Allianz Care offers international student health insurance that functions like comprehensive domestic coverage.Benefits usually include:
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Follow-up care
- Preventive services
- Optional outpatient and dental coverage
Costs
Similar to Cigna. Basic student plans may stay under USD 1,000 per year, while family cover rises sharply depending on benefits.
Best for
Students who want predictable, structured benefits similar to Western healthcare systems.
7. Other Global Insurers Used in Africa
Several other international insurers are commonly used by expatriates in Africa, including:
- Aetna International
- AXA Global Healthcare
- Bupa Global
These are not student-specific but can cover a student, spouse, and children with very high limits and evacuation options.They are premium products.
Practical “Top 10” Options for Student Families in Ghana
| Rank | Plan / Structure | Scope | Family Eligible | Key Strength |
| 1 | Equity Family Health Insurance | Ghana | Yes | Strong hospital and emergency care at local prices |
| 2 | Equity Student Plan + Family Plan | Ghana | Yes | Simple student-first structure |
| 3 | Acacia Supercare | Ghana | Yes | Extensive inpatient/outpatient access |
| 4 | Cosmopolitan Family Plans | Ghana | Yes | 750+ providers nationwide |
| 5 | Cigna Global Student Plan | International | Yes | Flexible modules, global reach |
| 6 | Cigna Africa Regional Plan | Africa | Usually | Regional portability |
| 7 | Allianz Care Student Plan | International | Yes | Comprehensive non-emergency care |
| 8 | Aetna / AXA / Bupa Global | International | Yes | Very high limits and evacuation |
| 9 | NHIS-linked Visitor Scheme + Private Top-Up | Ghana | Short stays | Basic safety net |
| 10 | Local Plan + Travel Insurance | Ghana + trips | Yes | Low cost with flexible add-ons |
What Costs Really Look Like
Exact premiums depend on age, dependants, deductibles, and benefits. Still, patterns are consistent.
Local Ghanaian insurers
- Hundreds of USD per year for mid-range family plans
- Lower limits, but good everyday usability
- Limited or no overseas treatment
International insurers
- Student-only: often under USD 1,000 per year for basic cover
- Family plans: easily USD 3,000–6,000+ per year depending on benefits
- Include evacuation and treatment abroad
How to Choose Without Guesswork
1. Confirm university and visa requirements
Some Ghanaian universities specify minimum coverage levels or preferred insurers. Always check first.
2. Decide where care must happen
If you are comfortable using good private hospitals in Ghana, local insurance may cover 90% of needs.If you want the option of overseas treatment, international cover becomes essential.
3. Consider combining policies
A local Ghana family plan plus a higher-deductible international policy often costs less than a full global plan while offering better real-world protection.
4. Read exclusions carefully
Pay close attention to:
- Pre-existing condition rules
- Maternity waiting periods
- Mental health coverage
- Age limits for children
5. Get written quotes and benefit tables
Always request:
- Full benefit schedules
- Provider lists in your city
- Clarification on cashless vs reimbursement
- Emergency and evacuation procedures
Pro Tips:
For International Students in Ghana with Families; The insurance is not to find an ideal product it is to create a framework that fits your lifestyle. Local Insurers can manage and provide for all aspects of everyday life very effectively. International Insurers will protect you from the less likely but possibly catastrophic event(s). When applied correctly and with careful consideration both types of insurances can provide comprehensive protection at a reasonable cost.
References:
- Acacia Health Insurance Ltd. (n.d.). Health insurance plans and provider network. https://www.acaciahealth.com
- Allianz Care. (n.d.). International student health insurance. https://www.allianzcare.com
- Aetna International. (n.d.). Global health insurance plans. https://www.aetnainternational.com
- AXA Global Healthcare. (n.d.). International private medical insurance. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com
- Bupa Global. (n.d.). International health insurance. https://www.bupaglobal.com
- Cigna Global. (n.d.). International health insurance for students and expatriates. https://www.cignaglobal.com
- Cigna Healthcare Africa. (n.d.). Health insurance solutions in Africa. https://www.cignaglobal.com/africa
- Cosmopolitan Health Insurance Ltd. (n.d.). Health insurance coverage in Ghana. https://www.cosmopolitanhealth.com
- Equity Health Insurance Ltd. (n.d.). Family and student health insurance packages. https://equityhealthinsurance.com
- National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). (n.d.). National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) – Ghana. https://www.nhis.gov.gh
- World Health Organization. (2023). Ghana health system profile. https://www.who.int
