A Turning Point for Sight: Ghana’s Journey Toward Corneal Transplants
On October 18, 2025, a milestone moment unfolded at Kotoka International Airport as Dr. Bothun and his team from Mayo Clinic, in partnership with Cure Blindness Project, delivered 26 cornea tissues to Ghana.
This marked a turning point in the country’s fight against corneal blindness. That same night, hopeful calls went out from Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals to patients who had waited months for this life-changing opportunity.
By Monday morning, ophthalmologists trained by Cure Blindness Project were ready to perform transplant surgeries in Accra and Kumasi. Among the 26 patients selected to receive the precious gift of sight-restoring surgery, Christiana, Gifty, Belinda, Albert, and Sylvestor were among those assessed and counseled at the Eye Centers, standing out from the hundreds who had come seeking hope. Their disbelief turned into hope as they prepared for a second chance at sight.
In operating theaters, senior ophthalmologists and residents worked side by side, learning from this rare opportunity. “Many patients need this surgery,” said Professor Seth Lartey, “But there are no tissues available locally. Legislations to support corneal harvesting in Ghana is required urgently to transform lives.”
Christiana Nkansah, a 54-year-old mother of five who lost sight in her left eye, shared her gratitude, “I want to thank Cure Blindness Project. God has used you to heal me. I spent so much trying to find healing, but nothing worked—until now.”
Cure Blindness Project continues to empower Ghanaian ophthalmologists, not only through training and resources but also by supporting advocacy for eye banking legislation. This initiative is more than a medical mission—it’s a movement to restore sight, dignity, and hope to countless Ghanaians.
