The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines hair transplant as a surgical procedure where hair is moved from one part of the body (the donor area, often the back or sides of the scalp) to a bald, thinning or recipient area.

The Director of Medical Affairs at the UGMC, Dr. Baffoe Gyan, said the centre was in the final stage of escalating the innovation to the public after successfully piloting it.

In an interview with Graphic Online, he said the venture formed part of the vision to make the facility a world-class centre for all medical solutions.

He said the surgeon leading the hair transplant innovation underwent training in New York and returned home to practice it, “and we are getting results.”

“The trial was done on our own doctor, whose hair is very fine now.

What we are left with is to escalate it to the rest of the population, but before you open the service here, we need to make sure that we have enough doctors to cover the service such that if demand becomes too high, we will be able to handle it,” he said.

According to the WHO, baldness or hair loss could be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, stress and certain medications.

The world body further states that the most common type of baldness, androgenetic alopecia (also known as male or female pattern baldness), is largely hereditary and related to ageing and hormones.

Dr Gyan said a team of medical staff was being built and groomed to get the required expertise for a full rollout of the service.

The pioneering procedure, known as a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing a portion of the stomach to promote weight loss. It was carried out by a multidisciplinary team at UGMC, led by Dr. Kennedy Ondede, Bariatric Surgeon and Head of Surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative was supported by Medtronic and East Cantonment Pharmacy Limited.

Dr. Ondede explained that the minimally invasive “keyhole” procedure removes about 60–80 per cent of the stomach, reducing food intake while preserving essential nutrients.

“This type of weight-loss surgery is not just about aesthetics; it helps reduce or reverse major obesity-related complications such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, infertility, and joint issues,” he said.
“Some of our patients who couldn’t conceive now have children. Others no longer require daily medication for chronic diseases.”

The procedure is typically recommended for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30, classified as obese by World Health Organization (WHO) standards. According to Dr. Ondede, patients can lose up to 80 per cent of their excess weight within one to two years post-surgery.

While generally safe, he cautioned that the procedure carries some risks, including infection, staple line leakage, and malnutrition, especially if proper follow-up care is not observed. However, with the right equipment and training, success rates exceed 90 per cent.

He encouraged individuals not opting for surgery to adopt healthier lifestyles—reducing sugar intake, managing their diet, and exercising regularly.

Dr. Dominic Darkwa, a Consultant General Surgeon at UGMC and co-lead of the operation, said the hospital had been planning the introduction of bariatric surgery for over a year.

“We have about 17 to 20 per cent of Ghana’s adult population living with obesity. This puts them at risk for numerous conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and respiratory problems,” he said.
“We planned and trained for this moment, and we’re excited to finally bring this service home.”

He also clarified that the sleeve gastrectomy differs from a gastric bypass. While the sleeve reduces the stomach’s size, a bypass diverts food away from parts of the digestive system to limit nutrient absorption.

“The surgery is only a tool. Patients must follow up with dietitians, psychologists, and exercise routines to meet their health goals. This is just the beginning—we hope to scale up and help many more Ghanaians reclaim their health,” Dr. Darkwa added.

Dr. Baffoe Gyan, Director of Medical Affairs at UGMC, described the successful surgery as a testament to the hospital’s mission of delivering world-class healthcare in Ghana.

“The procedure is very effective—it prevents diseases, reduces drug dependency, and can transform lives,” Dr. Gyan said.
“Bariatric surgery is a procedure many Ghanaians travel abroad to undergo. With the expertise now in Ghana, people no longer need to leave the country for this service.”

Dr. Gyan, also a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, noted that many Ghanaians are genetically predisposed to weight gain and obesity. Bariatric surgery, he said, offers a viable solution for individuals who have not succeeded with traditional weight-loss methods.

The surgery was carried out by a team of more than 30 professionals, including surgeons, anesthetists, perioperative nurses, nutritionists, and equipment providers. Each surgery lasted between two and three hours due to its instructional nature.

Patients typically begin a liquid diet within 24 hours of the surgery and are discharged within three days, with ongoing follow-ups from nutritionists and psychologists considered critical to long-term success.

UGMC is calling on individuals who may benefit from the procedure to enroll in its bariatric programme, which includes a comprehensive pre- and post-surgical support system.

GNA

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According to the President, the move is aimed at improving the efficient management of the medical facility.

The committee, made up of members from academia, also includes the Ministers of Health and Education.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that the University of Ghana becomes not just a theoretical academic space, but also a hub for medical excellence in the subregion.

The committee has been given a three-month mandate to carry out its work.

President Mahama had earlier hinted at the transfer in January 2025, describing it as essential to achieving the hospital’s original purpose.

The UGMC, a multidisciplinary medical facility located on the university’s Legon campus, was originally conceived as a key component of the university’s long-term vision to strengthen medical training and health service delivery.

Mahama noted that the UGMC, envisioned under the late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, was intended to be managed by a subsidiary of the university to ensure operational efficiency and uphold high standards of care.

However, he lamented that the facility, currently under the Ghana Health Service, is operating at only 40% of its capacity.

Source: Kwame Anum

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The admission followed a ghastly accident in East Legon that claimed the lives of two young girls and left others injured.

Elrad was initially treated at the Legon Hospital for severe injuries but was referred to UGMC for specialized care.

A medical report signed by Dr. Fred Salawu, an orthopaedic surgeon at UGMC, revealed that the 16-year-old suffered an open right ankle dislocation and facial lacerations.

He underwent emergency surgery, including debridement, external fixation of his right ankle, and a flap cover procedure on October 14, 2024.

Surgical findings showed: Open right ankle joint dislocation with an unstable joint (Gustillo III B), tear of the anterior and posterior talofibular, and calcaneofibular ligaments.

Following the surgery, Amoako underwent split skin grafting for his post-traumatic ulcer on October 21, 2024.

He is currently mobilizing without bearing weight on his right leg.

Dr. Salawu confirmed that Elrad was discharged from the hospital on October 28, 2024, to continue his recovery on an outpatient basis.

The clarification follows reports on Tuesday alleging that Dr. Salawu prevented the police from interrogating Elrad, who is the suspected driver.

However, the medical report states that the boy is currently unfit for police interrogation due to his ongoing treatment.

Dr. Salawu has pledged to notify the relevant authorities once Elrad completes his treatment and is deemed fit for questioning.

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Read the full statement below:

In a tweet reacting to the review, Mahama reflected on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure development, particularly in the health sector.

“Whenever I visit patients in hospitals or read reviews on people’s lived experiences at the UGMC, I feel proud of our work in government,” Mahama stated.

He reiterated his commitment to continue building essential infrastructure, citing his proven track record.

Mahama mentioned key projects completed during his tenure, including the construction of the UGMC, the Ridge Hospital, the Bank Hospital, the Maritime Hospital, and the Dodowa Hospital.

He also mentioned the establishment of the Ghana National Gas Company and the development of several power plants aimed at addressing the country’s energy crisis, commonly referred to as “dumsor.”

He reiterated his readiness to further develop Ghana’s infrastructure, noting that his accomplishments in the healthcare sector are part of a broader effort to enhance public services and facilities nationwide.

Taking to social media, the Lynx Entertainment artiste shared photos from his hospital bed, revealing a broken right arm in a cast.

Despite the ordeal, Kuami Eugene appeared resilient, as seen with his mini-studio equipment, still recording music even while recovering.

Some members of his management team were in the ward with him at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

In a heartfelt message to his fans and well-wishers, Kuami Eugene expressed gratitude to God, his family, the hospital staff, and everyone who offered prayers, positive thoughts, and acts of kindness for his recovery.

“I want to say thank you to God, My family, staff of UGMC and all of you for your prayers, your positive thoughts and your acts of kindness. The support and love that I received have been breathtaking and beyond my expectations. #ladiesandgentlemen”

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The men from the Legon Fire Station were dousing a fierce fire which had gutted a building when it collapsed on them at Westlands on Wednesday.

CFO Kuunor during the visit stated it was refreshing to see that the personnel are out of danger and responding well to treatment.

He was accompanied by the Director of Public Relations, ACFO I Timothy Osafo-Affum, the Greater Accra Regional Commander, ACFO I Roberta A. Ghanson, the Deputy Director of Operations, DOI Joseph Forson and a Member of the Public Relations Department, ADO I Alex King Nartey.

The CFO assured the injured officers of the Service’s commitment to providing them with the best health care, prayed for their rapid recovery and thanked them for their selfless services.

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The centre has now raised a little over GH₵1million in its quest to transform a large empty space at the hospital’s clinical centre into an operational CTU.  

Dr Kwame Anim-Boamah, Medical Director, UGMC, said at a conference in Accra that Ghana needs a state-of-the-art in-patient CTU where trials would be performed safely to international standards.  

A modern CTU, he said, would ensure that medications taken by Ghanaians for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer are suitable for the population. 

He said many medications being used in Africa had the trials done in Europe or America where the genetic makeup of the trial participants was different. 

“For instance, it is now clear that certain medications for hypertension do not work as well in black patients, if the trials for these medicines were done here, this situation could have been prevented,” he said. 

He said many pharmaceutical companies wanted to do trials in Africa but the facilities and personnel to do the trials were not available, “a reason why UGMC is positioning itself as the hub for international clinical trials in Africa.” 

Dr Anim-Boamah said there were so many herbal products that could potentially cure many ailments, but the scientific trials had not been done. 

He noted that a proper CTU in Ghana could do trials to international standards and help validate some of the herbal treatments. 

“Many cancer treatments are now personalized to the patient’s genetics, these treatments cannot come to Ghana to help our patients unless we are able to do the trials right here in Ghana, and at the moment, Ghana and many African countries are missing out on these treatments,” he said. 

Dr Nana Adwoa Konadu, Deputy Director, Medical and Scientific Research Centre, UGMC, said a hospital based CTU at UGMC would enable the centre to train the next generation of Ghanaian clinical trialists.  

She said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught Africa the need to train and perform its own trials, stating that the hesitancy in taking up the COVID-19 vaccine was partly due to the fact that trials were not done in Ghana. 

“The performance of clinical trials requires specific training and skills often not taught during the training of health personnel, unfortunately, Ghana has very few doctors and other health personnel who are trained to perform clinical trials and most of them are retired or near retirement,” she said. 

Dr Konadu said there was an urgent need to train more personnel, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and trial coordinators for the country.  

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The minister, widely known as NAPO who felt unwell after his acclamation in the Ashanti regional NPP Parliamentary Primaries, decided to check himself in for other tests including a second Covid-19 test.

He had earlier tested negative after a voluntary test but was detained at the facility awaiting a second test results which came out positive.

Recounting his experience from the centre, he said the Grace of God saw him through his recovery process.

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“But for God, I would not be alive. I thought I was going to die due to my condition when I was admitted, but after I was stabilised, I knew the worst was over,” he said on Accra-based radio Peace FM.

He urged Ghanaians, especially those defying the Covid-19 safety protocols, to tread cautiously, adding the health facilities were running out of space.

“We are at a critical point now; UGMC and Korle Bu are currently full. How many beds are available there? I never visited the ICU but others went to ICU and never returned.

“We should therefore not be indifferent about the situation because it has not affected any of our relatives,” he cautioned.

In the past few days, JoyNews has told stories of separate families who say they are being shunned by community folk – some refusing to sell to them and others treating them as outcasts after their relatives contracted the disease.

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On April 24, JoyNews obtained exclusive access to the treatment facility inside the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) to interact with two patients and caregivers who are working around the clock to provide these patients with adequate hospital care.

Komla Adom, fully dressed in a coverall and other personal protective gear, joined two doctors as they took a tour of the facility to meet the patients.

Mr Agyeman-Manu announced this at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday while giving updates on coronavirus case management in Ghana.

“The University of Ghana Medical Centre is ready for use; training has been completed and we have 14 beds as holding and treatment centres with five ICU beds.

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“Also, we have engaged management of the BoG hospital and they have released two floors at the facility to take care of 20 beds,” he said.

He said the BoG facility, per a consensus reached, will host personnel of the institution and other Very Important Personalities.

He further stressed processes were underway to disinfect quarantine areas and other facilities used for hosting travelers and patients.

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has officially commenced work as part of the second phase to expand and scale up operations of the referral facility.

The commencement of work follows a parliamentary approval of a 47 million Euro loan in 2018 to complete the project.

Dr Darius Osei, Chief Executive Officer of UGMC, announced the continuation of the project when he addressed a section of media at an induction ceremony of newly employed staff of the facility.

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“The hospital is just not for treatment and diagnosis but we must have hotel services in place so our catering, laundry, plumbing and all other support systems must be in place and there must be training for them.

“If I don’t have the right personnel, it will become an ordinary polyclinic so we should be able to identify where the specialists are and bring them with special arrangements to help them administer the support we need,” he said.

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Speaking on when the hospital will begin full operation, he said “the full operation will be gradual so cardiovascular and open-heart surgery as well as neurosurgeon units are expected to be completed in 2020.”

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The first phase of the UGMC project, an Israel loan and Ghana government funded project which was expected to be fully operational by July 2017, houses different specialised centres, such as emergency, imaging, operating theatres and laboratories.

The second phase to add 30 beds to the facility will provide specialist facilities, including heart and cancer treatment and rehabilitation centres and a hostel for families of patients.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertude Otchere

Mr Awuku said government cannot be blamed for the delay in opening the facility which is expected to go on a test-run following the constitution of an Interim Board for the entity.

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He assured that the facility will not, in any way, see interference from government in their decisions.

According to him, government had to ensure the controversy surrounding the management of the hospital was dealt with for the facility’s effective operation.

The University of Ghana Medical Centre  was built by the erstwhile government and commissioned by the then President John Mahama, some three days before he handed over the reins of power.

The state spent some $270 million to build the facility but more than a year after it’s commissioning, the facility remains closed.

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After intense protest by management of the university, civil society and students, government announced that an Interim Board will, between now and July 2018, complete the staffing process and ensure the provision of final logistics required for a smooth take-off.

The action by government has been described by many as a panic reaction after 17 months of being in office.

In defense, Sammy Awuku on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday said government acted in a timely manner.

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He revealed that the Interim Board was set up by the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare after she set up a technical committee to look into the UGMC saga.

“government was not sleeping when this whole issue was going on; the Chief of Staff was working and that was how come the Interim Board was set up” Mr. Awuku stated.

Sammy Awuku assured Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo government will always act in their supreme interest.

Deputy Information Minister in charge of operations, Perry Curtis Kwabla Okudzeto says the final-year medical student of the University of Ghana, Legon who was detained on Wednesday at the Korle Bu Police Station for protesting the failure of the government to open the University of Ghana Medical Central did not trigger government to operationalise the facility.

The $217 million University of Ghana Medical Centre which was constructed by the John Mahama administration has remained closed since its completion over a year ago.

A tussle between the University Authorities and the Ministry of health over who has the right to manage the facility has protracted the opening of the facility.

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At least 1,000 people have signed an online petition as part of a social media campaign to push the government to operationalise the 597-bed capacity University of Ghana Medical Center.

On Wednesday, a pharmaceutical student Reginald Sekyi-Brown, was arrested for wielding a placard demanding the opening of the facility at Korle Bu, where the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo was delivering a speech.

He was taken to the Korle Bu Police Station, interrogated and released on bail.

Meanwhile, the government has indicated that an interim Board, chaired by Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah has been put in place to liaise with the Turnkey Contractor to test-run the equipment with immediate effect.

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In a statement released by government, it said the Interim Board will, between now and July 2018, complete the staffing process and ensure the provision of final logistics required for a smooth take-off.

But speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, Mr. Okudzeto indicated that government as chief stakeholder, shares in the public sentiments that the facility needs to be operationalise as soon as possible.

He however added that government did not take the decision because it was triggered by a placard to do so.

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“I must state that though government shares in public sentiments, it didn’t take that decision because a placard was raised to do so. The placard was not the reason. The discussion has been happening over the last couple of days and has helped government to take those steps”, he said.

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr has appealed to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately intervene in the heightening controversy surrounding the opening of the University of Ghana Medical Centre.

According to him, he is unconvinced by governments’ explanation as to why it has failed to commission the facility.

“I’ve been very frank with this matter from day one. I am not convinced by the explanations that come from the ministry and government and then it’s taking too long a time for government to resolve the challenge” he said on Metro TV.

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Kweku Baako’s comments follow the arrest of Reginald Sekyi-Brown, a student of the University of Ghana, who, on Wednesday, 30 May 2018, displayed a placard at an event at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the middle of a speech by First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

The police say Mr Sekyi-Brown was being investigated for interrupting the programme. He has since been granted bail.

Mr Sekyi-Brown and others started a campaign for the hospital to be opened for healthcare services.

A tussle between the University of Ghana authorities and the Ministry of Health over control of the facility has resulted in the newly-built medical centre remained closed to the public, with its state-of-the-art equipment wasting away.

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But Mr. Baako wondered why the UGMC though has been completed, still remains shut.

He believes the Ministry in charge of the facility is losing the debate and therefore the President must intervene as soon as possible.

“The delay is not good in terms of public argument and I think the ministry is losing the debate, the government side is not convincing and therefore Nana Addo should intervene as soon as possible. The government is his because the delay is too protracted” he noted.

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Commenting on the arrest of Reginald Sekyi-Brown, the astute journalist said his arrest was over-dramatized hence the noise surrounding it.

“The gentleman when he was arrested should have been allowed to go because I think it’s not a big deal. Yes, it was okay but what if that was a camouflage and so their reaction was just over-dramatized and has brought the focus back on the state of the facility,” he said.