More Ghanaian men undergoing vasectomy – Report

A research survey conducted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) between January 2000 and December 31, 2009, has revealed that more Ghanaian men are choosing to undergo vasectomy.

Vasectomy is considered a ‘permanent’ method of birth control in men; the surgery when done prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates. However, the procedure can be reversed when the man decides to have children.

Improved sexual life, improved physical health especially for women because they will not suffer from side effects of pills; and freedom for men are some of the reported benefits.

Experts have said risks associated with having a vasectomy are few and include fever, increased swelling, bleeding and sometimes trouble urinating.

Medical superintendent of the La General Hospital, Dr. Patrick Frimpong who supervised the research said 98 percent of men who partook in the exercise were aged 40 and above and said they did not want to have any more children.

Other reasons given included the hard economic times and various health complications especially for women who go through childbirth.

The Obstetrician Gynecologist added that vasectomy is a procedure is a simple procedure performed within 15 minutes.
Although it is affordable, at the cost of GH¢ 10, some men Adom News spoke to said they will not consider the procedure as a birth control method citing various reasons like it not being Biblically right.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Fred Deegbe, has endorsed vasectomy and other birth control methods saying there is no biblical scripture condemning them.

According to Rev Deegbe, even though people have the misconception that vasectomy makes men impotent, it is not so and he would recommend it to anyone interested.

Rev Deegbe however advised that couples should be careful and make wise decisions about the procedure.
“Couples need to discuss and understand it because it is simpler for men and the family; in fact it has fewer complications than other forms of birth control. There is no blessing in producing children that you cannot take care of,” he stated.

Story: Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson/Adom News/Ghana