Neurosurgery and Neurology services in Ghana are very limited. Currently, about 1500 head injuries and 300 serious spinal injuries are seen annually. Tumors of the central nervous system are common in West Africa and at KBTH approximately 40 cerebral tumors are admitted annually. Many patients with tumors are not admitted to KBTH due to the lack of appropriate medical care and services. What is considered routine conventional neurosurgery in a developed country becomes a major health problem resulting in disabling deficit, pain, and premature death.

Ghana is a member of the Sub-Saharan West African States that include Ghana, Togo, Benin, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Niger, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali and Gambia. The members of this region have formed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to foster mutual trade as well as economic and social development. Ghana is considered the “gateway” to the region because of its location, democratically elected government, free press, gender equity, free enterprise, stability and peace, and its tangible and well recognized commitment to progress. Ghana’s population is estimated at 21.5 million and the population of the Sub-Saharan West African region is now over 275.0 million.

The development of a Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences will provide care, education and research. The training of specialist in Neurosurgery and Neurology would begin to meet the shortfall at other hospitals in Ghana and neighboring countries of the ECOWAS.

For the entire needs assessment, please download the attached documents:

KBNF Needs Assessment

Statement of Need