Prof Grace Ayensu-Danquah
The deputy minister-designate for health, Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has expressed concern about the impact of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) on women in Ghana, citing the physical, emotional, and social challenges associated with the condition.
To address this issue, she has pledged to bring in experienced surgeons to perform free fistula repairs and work towards training more local doctors to become specialists in fistula repair.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah made this known when she appeared before the vetting committee on Friday, July 25, 2025, in Parliament, as required by law.
Answering a question from Laadi Ayii Ayamba on how fistula was affecting many rural women, she acknowledged that “Female vesicovaginal fistula is a big problem and it has a lot of stigmatisations for women.
“As we speak, I have already made this stride, and since 2012, I have been bringing doctors to do these procedures”.
She gave an assurance that “once I get to the ministry, I will work with my minister to see how best we can get more surgeons to come to do free fistula repairs”.
A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another organ, vessel or intestine, or the skin.
This condition often arises during childbirth, particularly in cases where there’s a lack of timely medical intervention.
It causes involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder into the vagina, and women living with this condition often face significant physical, emotional, and social challenges, including social isolation, ridicule and shame.
Prof Ayensu-Danquah is the Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan constituency in the Western Region