Forty-five children across Ghana have received life-changing corrective surgeries, all free of charge, during an intensive nine-day medical initiative.

The procedures, performed through a three-year partnership between the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the Operation Smile team, have significantly improved speech and overall well-being for children born with cleft palate.

Cleft palate is a congenital condition that creates an opening in the roof of the mouth, impacting speech, eating, and health. 

Head of the National Plastic Reconstructive Unit, Dr. Opoku-Ware Ampomah, highlighted the profound impact of the initiative.

“These surgeries do more than correct a physical condition; they restore confidence and give these children a chance at a normal life,” he stated.

He further expressed optimism that such collaborations would drive investment into equipping local health facilities and training Ghanaian surgeons to perform these complex procedures independently.

“Our goal is not just to offer surgeries but to build capacity within our own healthcare system so that, one day, these life-changing procedures can be done locally, year-round,” he added. 

For many parents, the arrival of the Operation Smile team in Ghana each year represents hope, hope for a life-changing procedure that will enable their children to speak, eat, and engage with the world without barriers.