The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has achieved a significant milestone in Ghana’s medical history, successfully performing the nation’s first-ever pinhole (laparoscopic) obesity surgery. This groundbreaking procedure, a laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, was carried out on an obese patient at the facility on Friday, July 25, 2025.
The three-hour surgery involved a 30-member multidisciplinary medical team. This expert group comprised surgeons, anaesthetists, perioperative and recovery nurses, nutritionists, and other essential supporting medical staff.
The historic operation was led by Dr. Kenedy Ondede, Head of the Surgery Department at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Key members of the UGMC team included Dr. Dominic Darkwa, a General Surgeon Consultant, and Dr. Emmanuel Nachelleh, Head of the Surgery Department at UGMC. During the procedure, approximately 80% of the patient’s stomach was removed, creating a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This restriction in food intake is expected to lead to significant weight loss.
Dr. Ondede detailed the intricate nature of the laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery. “We make five small holes, none larger than one centimeter,” he explained. “One hole accommodates the camera, allowing us to visualize the internal organs as clearly as in open surgery. Through these small openings, we can maneuver to release and re-shape the stomach, which is responsible for storing large quantities of food and contributing to weight gain.”
He further elaborated, “We release the stomach from its attachments and are able to divide it. About 60 to 80 percent of the stomach is removed, which significantly narrows the tube. This means the patient can only eat small amounts.” Dr. Ondede also highlighted the long-term benefit: “The patient’s body will utilize stored fat as long as they don’t overeat, leading to quick fat loss.”
Addressing potential adverse effects, Dr. Ondede emphasized that the primary “adverse effect” of this surgery is the desired weight loss, which is a positive outcome for obese patients. He assured that restricting stomach capacity is not harmful, as the medical team ensures a balanced diet and provides necessary supplements, allowing patients to live normal lives.
Dr. Ondede underscored that the advantages of the surgery far outweigh any perceived disadvantages, such as weight loss. “Obesity is linked to numerous health problems, including heart issues, uncontrolled sugar levels, joint pain, and breathing difficulties,” he stated. “By reducing weight, patients can avoid these conditions and experience a renewed quality of life.”
Dr. Darkwa celebrated the success of the surgery, affirming its importance for UGMC’s mission to advance medical interventions for the public. “It is refreshing that UGMC continues to blaze the trail in modern medical and clinical interventions in the country,” he remarked. “For UGMC, this is the first time such a surgery has been performed, and I am not aware of it being done in any other facility in the country.”
He explained that UGMC was motivated to undertake this surgery due to the alarming increase in non-communicable diseases, particularly obesity. Dr. Darkwa noted that in Ghana, an estimated 17% to 25% of the population is obese, making this new surgical option critically important.
Dr. Darkwa also used the opportunity to caution the public about diet and lifestyle. “The first step is to reduce your caloric intake to prevent obesity. Cut down on in-between meals, sugary, and fatty foods,” he advised. “However, if you are obese and unable to lose weight through conventional methods, you can come to UGMC. We will assess you to determine if this surgery is the best option for you.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses a health risk. A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is classified as obese. In 2019, an estimated 5 million noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths were attributed to higher-than-optimal BMI.
Globally, the WHO reports a significant increase in obesity rates. From 1990 to 2022, the percentage of children and adolescents aged five to 19 years living with obesity quadrupled from 2% to 8%. During the same period, the percentage of adults 18 years of age and older living with obesity more than doubled, rising from 7% to 16%.