ELS: MBN360 HEALTH
At 9:49am on August 15, 2026, history was made in Tamale with the birth of a healthy baby girl — the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to be born in Northern Ghana.
For the parents, the birth marks the end of years of waiting. For Dr Sheila Issahaku and her team, it is the realisation of a long-held dream. For thousands of couples across the five regions of northern Ghana, it offers a new sense of hope.
The delivery marks a major milestone for reproductive healthcare in northern Ghana. Until now, couples seeking IVF services often had to travel to Accra or Kumasi, a journey that many could not afford physically, emotionally or financially.
A journey of faith and science
The couple, who requested privacy but agreed to share their story to give hope to others, had been trying to conceive for more than a year.
They said they had almost given up before seeking treatment at Aisha Hospital.
“When Dr Sheila told us IVF was now possible here in Tamale, we cried and saw hope because I was diagnosed with tubal blockage,” the mother of the baby said.
“We didn’t have to leave home. We could do this with people we trust at Aisha Hospital.”
After months of treatment, monitoring and prayer, the embryo transfer was successful.
On August 15, that hope became a reality as the couple welcomed their baby girl.
A milestone for Aisha Hospital and northern Ghana
For Dr Sheila Issahaku, an obstetrician-gynaecologist and Lead Fertility Specialist at Aisha Hospital, the delivery represents more than a medical achievement.
She said it demonstrates that advanced fertility care can be provided successfully in northern Ghana.
“This is not just about one baby,” Dr Issahaku said shortly after the delivery.
“This is about telling every couple in Northern Ghana that you do not have to travel far to find help. That you are not alone. That there is hope right here.”
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Aisha Hospital became the first facility in northern Ghana to introduce IVF services about three years ago. The team underwent specialised training and invested in laboratory infrastructure to make the service available closer to couples in the region.
Nurses, embryologists, counsellors and other specialists who worked to make the delivery possible were visibly emotional as they welcomed the baby.
“This is why we do this work,” one member of the team said, wiping away tears. “To give joy.”
What this means for IVF in the North
IVF services in Ghana have traditionally been concentrated in Accra and Kumasi. For couples in northern Ghana, accessing such services has often meant long-distance travel, additional costs and, in some cases, the stigma associated with infertility.
The successful delivery could help increase confidence in fertility services available in the North and encourage more couples to seek medical support.
Dr Issahaku said the clinic would continue to provide counselling, affordable payment plans and community education to help break the silence surrounding infertility.
“Infertility is not a curse. It is a medical condition. And it can be treated,” she said.
“We want couples to know that help is here.”
A tribute to his late mother
The Founder of Aisha Hospital, Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria, dedicated the milestone to his late mother, after whom the hospital was named.
“This hospital is named Aisha because of my mother. She fasted and prayed for me at every step,” he said.
“Even today, the first place I go when I’m in town is the cemetery to pray for her and all departed souls.”
“We dedicate this facility to our mothers. May the souls of all who helped build it but are no more rest in peace.”
He added that the hospital was built on strong foundations and structures to ensure that it continues to serve generations to come.
