A research conducted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) between January 2000 and December 31, 2009, has revealed that more Ghanaian men are choosing to undergo vasectomy. Vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control in men; the surgery when done prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates. However, the procedure can be reversed after a couple decides to have children later in life. Improved sexual life, improved physical health especially for women because they will not suffer from side effects of pills and freedom for men, are some of the reported benefits for men who do it. Medical superintendent of the La General Hospital, Dr. Patrick Frimpong who supervised the research said 98 percent of men who partook in the exercise were aged 40 and above and said they did not want to have any more children. Other reasons given were related to the hard economic times and various health complications. The Obstetrician Gynecologist added that the procedure is one of 3 ways to prevent men from making a woman pregnant. He said it is a simple procedure performed within 15 minutes. Experts have said risks associated with having a vasectomy are few and very mild which includes fever, increased swelling, bleeding and sometimes difficulty in urinating. Although it is affordable at GHC10.00, some men Adom News spoke to said they will not consider it. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Fred Deegbe, has endorsed birth control methods saying there is no biblical scripture condemning it especially vasectomy. According to Rev Deegbe, even though people have the misconception that vasectomy makes men impotent, it is not so and he would recommend it as one of the methods of birth control. Rev Deegbe however advised that couples should be careful and make wise decisions about birth control choices available to them. “Couples need to discuss and understand it because it is simpler for men and the family; in fact it has fewer complications than other forms of birth control. There is no blessings in producing children that you cannot take care of that become street children or a burden on society,” he reiterated. Story: Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson/Adom News/Ghana