35 Years of modern cardiothoracic surgery in Ghana: a legacy of excellence, a future of perfection

The National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stands as a premier institution for cardiothoracic surgery in Ghana and West Africa. Established in 1989 under the leadership of Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Centre recently celebrated 35 years of advancing modern cardiothoracic surgery in Ghana. The Centre also serves as an accredited training hub for cardiothoracic surgeons, critical care nurses and other allied health professionals in the West African sub-region. Over the past 35 years, the Centre has undertaken 14,981 surgeries and other cardiac procedures for Ghanaians and other African countries. The centre has also locally trained a total of 30 cardiothoracic surgeons for Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia, and has recently commenced training its first surgeon for the Gambia. Among the Centres’ challenges are infrastructural deficit, limited health financing, human resource deficit and technological gaps. This narrative review highlights the Centre’s 35 years of existence, its contributions to the cardiothoracic surgical landscape in West Africa, challenges and its future directions.