The Renal Patients Association of Ghana has expressed strong support for efforts to expedite the passage of the proposed Organ Transplant Bill, describing the move as a vital intervention in tackling the growing prevalence of kidney diseases in the country.

According to the association, the legislation is expected to create a comprehensive legal structure to govern organ donation and transplantation in Ghana. They say such a framework would help ensure proper regulation while expanding access to life-saving transplant procedures for patients who currently face limited treatment options.

This follows the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, indicating that close to 19 percent of the population is affected by kidney-related conditions, underscoring the need for stronger healthcare responses and improved treatment pathways.

Speaking in an interview, the President of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, noted that the proposed law is long overdue and could play a transformative role in improving care and survival outcomes for people living with renal diseases in Ghana.

”I think it is long overdue. We have been in this situation for a very long time. Normally, people have to travel outside the country to undergo transplants, although recently there have been attempts to perform some of these procedures here in Ghana. However, it has still been quite challenging,” he said.

He noted that many patients believe the policy should have been introduced years ago to enable proper organ harvesting and storage systems.

“Many people believe that this policy should have been in place long ago so that organs could be harvested and stored in organ banks. Then, when a suitable match is found, the transplant can be done for the patient,” he explained.

Ahenkorah also recalled that similar efforts had been initiated in the past but failed to progress after a change in government.

“So truly, it is long overdue. I remember that during the previous administration something similar was initiated. Unfortunately, the process stalled when there was a change in government and a new administration took over,” he added.