Korle Bu CEO Calls for Urgent Legislation on Organ Harvesting in Ghana
Chief Executive of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, has called on Parliament to expedite the passage of legislation on organ harvesting, arguing that such a move would significantly cut the cost of transplants for patients in Ghana.
Addressing members of Parliament’s Health Committee during their visit to the hospital on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Dr. Seidu Adam said the absence of a legal framework compels patients in need of organ transplants to seek treatment abroad, even though Ghana has qualified specialists capable of performing the procedures.
“With our own population, if they need a kidney transplant, they have to travel to India, America, or the UK. We have the expertise here to do the work, if only the legislative approval is given,” he explained.
Dr. Adam added that the lack of legislation also hampers eye surgeries, particularly cornea transplants.
“As eye surgeons, we perform cornea transplants, but we cannot get corneas locally. We have to import them from America, where the lowest price is between $3,000 and $4,000. If we had the legislation, we could harvest corneas here, and a patient would not spend more than GH₵500,” he noted.
His appeal adds to mounting pressure on lawmakers to create a regulatory framework for organ donation and harvesting in Ghana, a move health experts say would improve access to life-saving procedures and reduce costs for patients.
