Ghana has officially launched its first-ever human milk bank at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), offering a life-saving option for premature and underweight babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.
The landmark facility is designed to provide screened, donated breast milk to infants in critical need, helping to improve neonatal health outcomes and reduce infant mortality.
The initiative targets babies born prematurely or with low birth weight—who are often at higher risk of infections and complications when denied breast milk in their early days of life. It allows healthy lactating women to donate excess breast milk voluntarily, which is then medically screened, processed, and stored under strict hygiene protocols for safe use.
The service is free for families in need, although recipients may be asked to cover a small processing fee.
At the launch ceremony, Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, commended the medical professionals behind the initiative, singling out Professor Cecilia Obeng for her instrumental role.
“This project reflects a deep sense of patriotism and urgency. Professor Cecilia Obeng’s commitment to this cause is not just admirable—it is life-saving,” the Minister said.
The milk bank is a response to a longstanding gap in Ghana’s neonatal care system. Many mothers with complications after birth or those who have passed away are unable to breastfeed, leaving their babies vulnerable. The availability of safe, donor breast milk is expected to significantly increase survival chances for these infants.
Donors are required to undergo thorough medical screening and receive counseling to ensure the safety and quality of the milk being collected. The donated milk is then pasteurised and stored in a temperature-controlled environment until needed by hospitals or neonatal units.
Ghana now joins countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa in embracing human milk banking—a practice that global health experts recommend as part of holistic maternal and child healthcare.
Medical staff at UGMC say they are optimistic that the milk bank will not only save lives but also promote awareness around breastfeeding and maternal health. Plans are also underway to expand milk banking services to other regions across the country.
The facility is expected to serve as a model for future partnerships between healthcare providers, lactating mothers, and policymakers to ensure that no newborn in Ghana is denied the nourishment they deserve from birth.
