Baby Kweku, Ghana
Baby Kweku Fuseiniof Ajumako in the Central Region of Ghana
"Thank God for an answered prayer" exclaimed Aba Amoakoa, of Ajumako, Ghana. Aba’s sense of relief came upon hearing about the services available for babies born with clefts.
In 2003, Aba gave birth to a baby boy, Kweku, who had a bilateral cleft lip. Aba was horrified and devastated upon the sight of the newborn baby. Even though she had hoped and prayed for a baby boy, she never expected a baby with a visible birth defect.
In her community, it was speculated that the cleft was caused by Aba’s “mixed marriage” between a Christian and a Moslem. For many others, the birth defect was simply a bad omen. The community’s reaction eventually resulted in depression for Aba. Her marriage came under pressure and she lost her appetite for food. Soon, she could not produce enough breast milk to feed Kweku. He became very undernourished as a result.
Kweku’s grandmother consulted a soothsayer for explanation and was informed to take good care of the baby who, according to the soothsayer, would become rich in future. After hearing this advice, Kweku’s mother and grandmother made efforts to make him comfortable, though he remained badly undernourished.
Eventually, the TFW-sponsored Cleft Lip and Palate Management Project, Ghana (CLPMP) team visited the family. Kweku was immediately referred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to treat his malnourishment before receiving an assessment for surgery.
