Physically born with a cleft lip and palate, my early life felt like a journey of “hopelessness.” But then, the gifted hands of Prof. Peter Donkor and Dr. Solomon Obiri Yeboah initiated my healing process. These dedicated surgeons have been with me since my first surgery at just three months old, guiding me through more procedures toward wholeness.

Turning My Cleft Story into My Life’s Calling

I was born with a cleft — a journey that has shaped every part of my life. Growing up with a visible difference and speech difficulties often made me feel self-conscious and isolated. But thanks to the unwavering support of my family, friends, and healthcare providers, I learned resilience, determination, and the power of self-belief.

A turning point in my life was the care I received from the cleft team at KATH. Their expert treatment, encouragement, and compassion played a vital role in my healing — not just physically, but emotionally as well. They planted the seed that would eventually grow into my calling.

My name is Jemima, and I am mother to Nathaniel, a seven-year-old with a cleft. His condition made it extremely challenging for us, as food and water would pass through his nose whenever he ate or drank. Coping with this situation was particularly difficult within my community, where some people cruelly claimed that my son was not human and even suggested that I should end his life. Despite these hardships, my husband stood by me through it all, providing unwavering support.

Yaw, was six-month old and came from the Brong Ahafo Region. He was born with cleft on of the left side of his top lip. His mother was quite upset about it and had contemplated killing the baby but lacked the courage to do so. She tried to find help for her son and was eventually referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The Cleft team counseled and reassured her that her son could be treated. Even though the doctors were in a position to assist, the parents could not afford the treatment.

Abena was born with a cleft lip and palate. The family come from a town in the Central Region. The first time she attended the KATH Cleft Clinic, she was accompanied by quite a sizeable delegation including a worried mother, a crying father and an anxious grandmother. Abena’s mother narrated that her husband was pressuring her to throw the baby away in the bush because he could not see how such a cursed baby could be raised in their home.

Sammy was born at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi a cleft deformity that run from the corner of the left eye down across the face to involve the upper lip. When the father visited the ward after the child’s birth he so was shocked that he said to his wife, “What? Where is this from? Make sure you do not bring this thing child into the house”. To him his wife was wholly responsible for their first born child’s condition. The doctors on the contacted the father and conselled him about the child’s condition after which he reluctantly accepted that t his son’s condition could be repaired. He then agreed to allow his wife and son to return home.

Elorm was born in a small village in the Volta Region. A health volunteer from the village took brought him to the nearest health center to seek help where he met a Danish volunteer who recognized the baby’s condition as a cleft lip. She search for help on on the internet and found that Smile Train, an international organisation, headquartered in the USA that sponsors free surgery for cleft patients had partners in Kumasi. She contacted Smile Train who provided her with the contact information of the Cleft team at KATH in Kumasi. After several email exchanges and telephone calls, arrangements were made to send MA to Kumasi.