to be honest. Still, I had no idea I would go into embryology. I later travelled to the UK, worked briefly, and returned to Ghana with a cousin who planned to start a refuse collection business. That venture failed, so I stayed home and prepared to go back abroad. Around that time, the late Dr. Joseph (Joe) Mainoo had just opened Pro Vita Specialist Hospital and was looking for a biologist. I applied, went through the interviews, and was selected. That’s when he shared his vision of setting up the first IVF centre in Ghana. I started reading about IVF, about Louise Brown— the first IVF baby—and how the field was still in its infancy. It all seemed remote and experimental but fascinating. So I was sent to Germany for training in embryology. Q How old were you then? I was about 28. I left for Germany and trained there for two years. At the time, there were no formal academic programmes in embryology—you had to be attached to a lab and trained on the job. I trained in Essen, Germany. Back then, it was a lot harder than it is now. Many tools and media we use today weren’t commercially available—you had to make a lot yourself. While I was training, the construction work at Pro Vita to create a proper IVF facility was ongoing. IVF labs require a specific flow between sterile and non-sterile areas, so everything had to be well coordinated. We procured equipment from Germany and the UK. I even returned briefly to help with setting up and securing financing. No banks were willing to offer loans because of the high cost of IVF equipment. Eventually, Ghana Leasing agreed to buy the equipment and lease it to the hospital. That’s how the journey began. After two years, I came back, and we launched IVF in Ghana. Q How did the education in Germany prepare you for this career? Initially, everything felt strange. With time spent in the lab and close guidance from the team, I adapted. The andrology bit was relatively straightforward, but identifying oocytes in follicular fluid was tough. The fluid contains many other cells, and timing is critical—you can’t spend too long identifying each oocyte because the eggs can deteriorate quickly. However, if a clinician lacks patience or understanding of the process, they may think you’re being slow, which pressures embryologists to rush, leading to potential errors. Even with the best effort, you may lose 2–5% of oocytes. But my training in Germany gave me the confidence and competence to eventually work independently. That said, I still remember the anxiety of my first solo day in the lab without anyone to call on. It’s a very different feeling from working under supervision. Q Did you face any challenges while training, aside from the technical ones? Yes—mainly the language. The people were lovely, and the senior embryologist who trained me, a German of Polish descent, became a mentor and visited Ghana several times. But the language barrier was tough. I had done a six-month course at the Goethe Institute, so I could communicate somewhat, but not fluently. Still, I managed. The food didn’t bother me—I got used to the sausages and potatoes. Q And how has your family supported you throughout this journey? Were you married at the time? No, I wasn’t married at the time, but I got married a few years later. My family was incredibly supportive. Embarking on a new, unfamiliar field like IVF—especially one that helps women In some cases, a woman delivers a baby, and immediately the child is handed over to the intended parents. This can be emotionally challenging for the birth mother. These scenarios are all deeply embedded in legal and ethical complexities. “ The Birthday Journal 53 E L L I S AT 6 0
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