The urologist surgeons in Ghana have sounded an alarm on a silent crisis: about 1.4 million men aged 30 and above are living with infertility, yet only a fraction seek care on time. At the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons, held at Sunyani’s Eusbett Hotel, President Prof. Kwaku Addai Ntim Appiah revealed a worrying reality: some urologists handle more than 150 patients under heavy pressure, while many government hospitals still lack essential microsurgical equipment. He noted that men account for about 58% of infertility cases, compared with 42% in women, yet cultural stigma keeps many men away from clinics.
Experts say the most effective strategy is a three-pronged approach: early screening, lifestyle change, and timely treatment. Men should treat semen analysis and urological check-ups like blood pressure checks. If a couple has not conceived after 12 months of unprotected sex (or 6 months if the woman is 35+), both partners must be evaluated together.
Eat fertility-friendly foods: green leafy vegetables (kontomire, spinach), legumes, fruits, chia seeds, bananas, and omega‑3-rich fish like sardines and salmon. Cut down on sugar, junk food, fizzy drinks, red meat, alcohol, and smoking. Avoid tight clothing and excessive heat around the groin; manage stress and maintain a healthy weight. Treat infections promptly. Mumps, testicular infections, and some STIs can damage sperm.
Equip regional hospitals with microsurgical tools and IVF/IUI capabilities. Train more urologists and embed fertility clinics in district hospitals. Run public education campaigns to shift the narrative: infertility is a couple’s issue, not a woman’s alone.
With just 8% of men aged 30–40 seeking care early, Ghana’s urologists urge a national shift: screen early, live well, and treat promptly before infertility becomes irreversible.
