The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has made history after a successful surgery for weight loss in Ghana—the first-ever pinhole surgery conducted by the health facility on an obese person.

The laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, a type of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery where a large portion of the stomach is removed to create a smaller sleeve-shaped stomach, was carried out on a patient at the facility on Friday, July 25. The surgery was conducted by a team of thirty medical professionals, including surgeons, anaesthetists, perioperative and recovery nurses, nutritionists, and other supporting medical staff.

The team was led by the Head of the Surgery Department of the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr Kenedy Ondede. The operation saw to the successful removal of about 80 percent of the patient’s stomach with the goal of limiting the quantity of food to be eaten by the individual. This is intended to result in weight loss. A general surgeon consultant at the UGMC, Dr Dominic Darkwa, and the Head of the Surgery Department at UGMC, Dr Emmanuel Nachelleh, were key members of the team that undertook the surgical procedure.

The surgical process

Explaining the details of the surgery and what it takes for the surgery to be carried out, Dr Ondede explained that the laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery was done through a small opening, referred to as a pinhole, of not more than one centimetre.

“We have five of these small holes; one takes the camera; we turn inside to be outside so that we see everything like what we do in open surgery. Through these openings, we are able to manoeuvre to release the stomach from its attachment - that is where food is stored, and allow patients to put on a lot of weight.”

“We release the stomach from its attachment, and we are able to split it. About 60 to 80 per cent of the stomach is removed, and that narrows the tube and also means that the patient can eat little,” he explained.

Dr Ondede explained that the fat in the body of the patient would be used as long as they did not eat more, “and in no time, you will lose all the fat in your body.” Asked about the possibility of a side effect, the doctor detailed that “the adverse effect we want to create is weight loss, and that is positive to achieve.”

With almost the whole size of the person’s stomach gone and the perceived negative effects it is likely to have on the patient’s body, Dr Ondede stated that it was not unhealthy or harmful. He added, “We make sure that the rest of the diet is balanced, and we give supplements where necessary, and the patient lives a normal life,” citing that the advantages of the surgery exceed the disadvantages.

As an obese person, according to the surgeon, one risks suffering heart problems, diabetes, and several other health troubles compared to having a normal weight for a healthier life. “If you are obese, you will have heart problems; you will have sugar control problems; joint problems; breathing problems, among others. When patients reduce weight, they stand the chance of avoiding these situations and have renewed life,” he said.

Dr. Darkwa said the successful surgery was a good record for UGMC’s goal of providing advanced medical care to the public. He expressed excitement over the UGMC leading the way in offering modern medical treatments in Ghana.

“For UGMC, this is the first time the surgery has been done, and I am not aware that it has been done in any facility in the country,” he added. The motive behind the surgery, according to Dr Darkwa, was a result of the hike in non-communicable diseases, including obesity.

He cautioned members of the public to watch their diets and avoid a sedentary lifestyle to prevent getting overweight or obese. “The first thing is reducing your caloric intake to make sure that you do not get obese. Cut down the in-between meals, sugary and fatty foods; but if you happen to be obese and you cannot use the conventional way to reduce it, you can come, we will assess you and see whether the surgery is the best way out for you.

He continued that in Ghana, about 17 to 25 percent of the population was obsessed, which was why the new dawn was critical. According to the World Heart Report 2025 – Obesity & Cardiovascular Disease, published by the World Heart Federation, the overall adult obesity prevalence in Ghana is estimated at 17.1% in 2025, affecting approximately 2.85 million people.

Also, among women aged 20–49 years, 22% are obese, and when combined with overweight, the figure reaches 50%. This is as reported by the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2022, published in 2024 by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and ICF.

About 3.9% of men aged 20–49 years are obese, and 16.8% are overweight, totalling 20.7% with excess weight, according to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.

Statistics from the World Obesity Federation—Missing the 2025 Global Targets: Ghana, published in 2025, suggest that, for children and adolescents aged 5–19 years, the obesity rate is 3.6%, with projections indicating continued growth. The gender disparity is notable: 19.3% of adult women and 5.6% of adult men aged 18+ are obese, according to the Global Nutrition Report—Country Nutrition Profile: Ghana, published in 2022.

Obesity is more prevalent in urban areas, among older adults, and among those with higher income levels. A Report Card—Adults: Ghana, from the Global Obesity Observatory, published in 2024, has announced.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is considered obese. In 2019, an estimated 5 million noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths were caused by higher-than-optimal BMI.

The global health body adds that from 1990 to 2022, the percentage of children and adolescents aged five to 19 years living with obesity increased four-fold from two percent to eight percent globally, while the percentage of adults 18 years of age and older living with obesity more than doubled from seven percent to 16 percent.