President John Dramani Mahama brought a light-hearted moment to the 66th Annual Conference of the West African Association of Surgeons when he jokingly recounted his personal experiences in the operating theatre.

Speaking at the 66th Annual Conference of the West African Association of Surgeons, President Mahama referred to the growing tradition of inviting fathers to be present during childbirth.

While he acknowledged the spirit behind the practice, he admitted that, in his own case, the experience proved more daunting than anticipated.

“There is this tradition where increasingly, when your wife is giving birth, you are invited to attend the birth,” President Mahama said.

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“It just happened that my wife, for all our children, had to go through C-sections. As soon as the surgeon starts cutting her stomach, I run out of the theatre. So I wonder whether I really deserve this gown.”

The self-deprecating remark was met with warm laughter and applause, offering a rare, personal glimpse into the former President’s private life and providing levity in an otherwise formal medical gathering.