News
Penile implant a cure for Erectile Dysfunction
Men in Ghana, including those as old as 80 are suffering from conditions like hypertension and diabetes, now have a reliable treatment option for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), which is penile implant surgery.
In an interview, a Consultant Urologist and Sexologist, Dr Samuel Amanamah, shared that 52 per cent of men aged 40–70 were affected by ED in varying degrees.
He described ED, referred to as impotence, as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
The condition, he stressed, has contributed to marital breakdowns, low self-esteem, and even infertility.
“Men in this situation can now breathe a sigh of relief,” Dr Amanamah said, adding that, “Age or chronic conditions like diabetes are no longer barriers to treatment. Even 80-year-olds have successfully undergone the procedure.”
The penile implant was considered the final treatment option for men when all other interventions, including oral medications, injectables, and medical devices fail.
The procedure involved inserting a silicon rod into the erectile tissues of the penis, providing an immediate and controllable erection, stating that there were two types of implants: malleable, which is always firm, and inflatable, which allows the user to regulate erections.
Dr Amanamah mentioned that the surgery required only a small 4cm incision beneath the penis.
“The incision site is barely visible after healing,” he said, adding that the minimally invasive procedure usually lasts an hour. Patients are typically discharged within one or two days.
Aesthetically, the penis remains unchanged after the procedure, and it is almost impossible to distinguish between one with an implant and one without, he noted.
“Functionally, the implant is even superior to natural erections,” he underlined. “It can last over 20 years and allows for intercourse as often as the patient desires.”
He added that patients can still father children after the procedure, provided they do not have underlying fertility issues.
“Some patients who suffered from 10 years of infertility have gone on to have twins after the surgery,” he noted, adding that others have reconciled with spouses after being previously divorced due to ED.
Although complications were possible, the success rate of penile implants was as high as 93 per cent, Dr Amanamah emphasised, stating that occasional erectile failure does not qualify as ED.
He also outline that the dysfunction must be persistent. “Some men start with a good erection but lose it during intercourse. That still counts as ED.”
Furthermore, he explained that ED can stem from various causes, including cardiovascular issues, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, and chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Psychological factors such as unresolved marital problems also play a role. Conditions like priapism, that is, prolonged erection often linked to sickle cell disease or abuse of sex-enhancement drugs could also result in ED if not promptly treated.
Moreover, Dr Amanamah underscored the importance of treating the root cause noting that “simply giving medication without addressing underlying issues only delays the problem,” and added that “effective treatment must be holistic.”
“When oral or injectable medications and medical devices fail, the penile implant remains a safe and long-term solution for restoring sexual function and quality of life,” he noted.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
