BY Issah Olegor
President John Dramani Mahama has offered a rare personal glimpse into his private family life, using a major medical forum to reflect on fatherhood, vulnerability, and the emotional realities behind surgical care, as he revealed that all his children with his wife, Lordina Mahama, were delivered through cesarean sections.
The disclosure came during the 66th Annual Conference of the West African Association of Surgeons (WAAS), a high-level gathering of medical professionals from across the sub-region, convened to assess developments in surgical practice, emerging challenges in healthcare delivery, and the future of surgery in West Africa.
President Mahama was the guest of honour at the conference, where he was formally recognised for his public service and support for national development initiatives, including health sector reforms.
Speaking to an audience of surgeons, specialists, and medical trainees, the President struck a reflective and humorous tone, questioning whether he truly deserved the symbolic honour being bestowed on him— particularly the ceremonial surgeon’s graduation gown he wore during the event.
He used the moment to narrate his personal encounters with surgical procedures, not as a professional, but as a husband and father.
Mahama recounted that all his children were born via cesarean section, placing him repeatedly in the emotionally difficult position of witnessing his wife undergo major surgeries.
Contrary to the calm professionalism of surgeons in the operating theatre, he admitted that he struggled to remain composed during the procedures.
He told the audience that while modern practice increasingly allows fathers to be present during childbirth, his own experiences inside the operating theatre were far from heroic.
The moment surgical instruments were brought out and the incision began, he said, he would instinctively leave the room — a reaction that, in his words, made him question whether he deserved to be associated symbolically with the surgical profession at all.
His remarks were delivered in a light-hearted manner but carried a deeper emotional undertone, highlighting the psychological strain families experience when loved ones undergo medical procedures.
The audience responded with laughter and applause, reflecting shared experiences among partners and families who have faced similar moments in hospitals and theatres across the region.
Beyond the humour, the President’s comments subtly reinforced the importance of surgical care in maternal and child health outcomes.
Cesarean section, commonly known as C-section, remains a critical medical intervention used when natural delivery poses risks to the mother, baby, or both. It is often performed in cases of complications during pregnancy or labour, obstructed delivery, fetal distress, or other clinical emergencies.
The conference itself formed part of a broader regional effort to strengthen surgical systems in West Africa, where access to quality surgical care remains uneven, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities. Health experts at the forum discussed workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, training needs, and the importance of policy support for modern surgical services.
