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Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has reaffirmed that cleft lip and cleft palate are fully treatable medical conditions, not curses, urging parents to seek early medical intervention for affected children.
Speaking at the second annual conference of the Ghana Association for Cleft Lip and Palate (GHACLIP) in Kumasi, Dr Ayensu-Danquah stressed that Ghana has the professional expertise required to provide comprehensive cleft care, but early detection and timely referrals remain crucial.
“We have the needed expertise to treat it, and what we need is early detection and early referral systems so that no child is left in the shadows, especially in hard-to-reach communities,” she noted.
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Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the upper lip or parts of the mouth fail to fuse properly during foetal development. Treatment typically requires reconstructive surgery and may include speech therapy and dental support.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, said the Ministry of Health envisions a Ghana where no child is denied the opportunity to thrive because of a correctable condition.
“We want a Ghana where every child born with a cleft is treated and grows to accomplish his or her aspirations with no barrier to their potential other than their own ambitions,” she stated.
She emphasised the need for a national cleft data registry, arguing that accurate data is critical for proper planning and equitable allocation of health resources.
“We cannot manage what we do not measure. We need to know where children with clefts are born and how they are followed up and monitored, and what the systemic gaps are,” she added.
The Deputy Minister also called for the decentralisation of cleft expertise, urging healthcare providers to move away from the mission-based model where cleft surgeries and care are offered only during selected periods of the year. She advocated instead for year-round, nationwide access to treatment.
President of the Pan African Association of Cleft Lip and Palate (PAACLIP), Professor Adeola A. Olusanya, praised GHACLIP for its leadership on the continent, describing the association as a beacon of hope for children with cleft conditions.
She highlighted the complex challenges associated with delivering comprehensive cleft care, including limited resources, infrastructure gaps and geographical barriers, but commended GHACLIP’s commitment to training surgeons, nurses, speech therapists and other specialists.
Interim President of GHACLIP, Dr Solomon Obiri Yeboah, reaffirmed the association’s dedication to providing the highest standard of care in hospitals and treatment centres across the country.
The event, held under the theme “Achieving Excellence in Comprehensive Cleft Care in Ghana Through Effective Collaboration and Partnership”, brought together health professionals, policymakers and development partners committed to improving cleft care nationwide.
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