The Father of IVF in Ghana
Dr. Joe Mainoo's Remarkable Journey
His ART/IVF Achievements and Pioneer Role
Dr. Joe Mainoo's achievements in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are numerous and groundbreaking. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Establishing Ghana's first IVF center at Provita Specialist Hospital in January 1995.
Successfully delivering the first child conceived through IVF in Ghana in October 1995, bringing hope to many couples struggling with infertility.
Achieving several milestones in ART/IVF, including:
Delivering twins, triplets, and quadruplets through IVF - a topic that is currently topical, as the views of the ART community and fertility population evolve. But these are still big achievements as taken in perspective.
Delivering the first baby through egg donation in Ghana.
Delivering the first blastocyst baby in Ghana.
Achieving the first pregnancy and birth from testicular sperm retrieval in Ghana.
Delivering the first baby from a slow-frozen and thawed embryo in Ghana.
Mentoring and training several obstetricians/gynecologists who have gone on to establish their own ART facilities, thereby expanding access to IVF services in Ghana.
Receiving numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the field of ART and IVF, including the Otumfuor Opoku Ware II Jubilee Foundation Awards and the Golden Jubilee Business and Financial Services Excellence Award.
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The Journey: How He Achieved This
Dr. Joe Mainoo's remarkable journey began with his medical education and training in Germany. After completing his medical degree and internship, he specialized in obstetrics and gynecology from 1976 to 1981. He then worked as a specialist at St. Antonius-Hospital Gronau GmbH in Gronau, North Rhine-Westphalia, where he gained valuable experience and exposure to various medical techniques.
Returning to Ghana
Dr. Mainoo was of the stock that returned to Ghana after training. Upon his return in 1982, he worked as a specialist at Koforidua Government Hospital and then moved to Tema General Hospital until January 1985, when he established Provita Specialist Hospital in Tema. He maintained strong connections with his German colleagues and closely followed innovations in IVF.
Training in ART
As stated in his biography:
“Between 1989 to 1992, while serving as the Ob/Gyn and Medical Director at Provita Specialist Hospital, Dr. Mainoo made frequent visits to the Federal Republic of Germany to undergo training in IVF techniques. His training covered controlled ovarian stimulation protocols, monitoring and follicular tracking, ovum pickup, embryo transfer techniques, and the management of OHSS.”
He equipped himself with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish an IVF center in Ghana. This pioneering work, done in the 1980s, a very challenging time in Ghana, required significant innovation, hard work, and dedication. Despite the technical and financial hurdles of introducing high-tech fertility treatment to Ghana, Dr. Mainoo's gritt, training and perseverance proved instrumental. His efforts involved substantial personal sacrifices and a deep commitment to his vision of alleviating infertility stigma in Ghanaian society.
Dr. Mainoo was a scientist, an expert in embryology, fully understanding embryo development and morphology. He had an exceptional ability to predict which blastocysts were developing well, frequently discussing embryo quality with the embryologist and placing great trust in his team. As a scientist, Dr. Mainoo was meticulous about quality control and adhering to strict protocols. His techniques were highly effective, and he followed them rigorously.
His expertise in embryo transfer was particularly notable, with a precision and technique so refined that he often remarked that he knew exactly where he was during the procedure. His ET was legendary, consistently delivering excellent results with his flawless clinical touch technique.
Challenges Overcome
Numerous challenges arose during his journey. Securing approval and permits from the Ministry of Health, along with inspection and certification agencies for the importation of the first IVF equipment, posed significant obstacles. The Food and Drugs Authority's approval for the importation of gonadotropins and other IVF medications was similarly challenging, as the technology was new and often deemed unfeasible. Dr. Mainoo's unwavering dedication and personal sacrifices were key to overcoming these hurdles. ( Source: Dr. Joe Mainoo's Biography)
The First IVF Baby in Ghana
An excerpt from his biography recounts this significant milestone:
“In June 1993, Dr Mainoo declared his intent on the ‘IVF Project’ as he called it by sending his Biological Scientist for the clinical embryology role on an intensive 12 months training program in Essen, Germany to acquire the various skills in gamete handling, culture media preparation, embryo culture, grading of oocytes, embryos, embryo loading for embryo transfers, and the freezing of sperm and embryos by the slow freezing technique, equipment calibration, preparation and sterilization of IVF consumables along with quality control measures and observation of the then newly developed ICSI which had come to revolutionize male infertility.”
The first child conceived through IVF in Ghana was born at Provita Specialist Hospital, Tema in October 1995.
This successful pregnancy and birth resulted from a batch of 12 self-cycled patients with [an] average age of 38.7 years. The successful patient was 40 years old and the oocytes were cultured in Ham’s F-10 (which was made in-house) and the embryos were transferred on Day 3. ( Source: Dr. Joe Mainoo's Biography)
This landmark achievement brought new hope and opportunities to countless couples struggling with infertility. Dr. Mainoo's relentless efforts paved the way for major advancements in reproductive endocrinology and infertility treatment, with a particular focus on IVF and Assisted Reproduction in Ghana.
The Supporting Team / Embryology
Dr. Joe Mainoo's success in ART and IVF was made possible by the support of his team at Provita Specialist Hospital and collaborations with other experts in the field. Key members of his team included:
Embryologist: His pioneer embryologist was trained in clinical embryology in Essen, Germany, he subsequently played a crucial and pivotal role in IVF procedures at Provita Specialist Hospital.
German Colleagues: Collaborations provided valuable expertise and support in establishing the IVF center and achieving successful outcomes.
Provita Specialist Hospital Team: A dedicated team of medical professionals, medical doctors, Gynecologic Surgeon, nurses, laboratory technicians, and administrative staff, worked together to provide comprehensive care to patients undergoing IVF treatment.
At Provita Specialist Hospital, many notable embryologists such as ‘Ellis’, ‘Selorm’, ‘Dickson’, and Nana Fredua Agyemang Adomako worked with him. They all played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the IVF procedures. Together, they worked in harmony to produce successful outcomes for patients.
In addition to his embryologists, Dr. Mainoo also mentored and trained several doctors who have since gone on to make their own mark in the field of fertility care. Some of these include Dr. Kuffuor, Dr. Polly, Dr. Amoo Mensah, Dr. Boi Doku, and Dr. Claribel, who was the first female to carry out an IVF procedure in Ghana. His mentorship and collaborative approach not only expanded access to ART services in Ghana but also ensured a lasting legacy of excellence in fertility care.
His Life
Dr. Joe Mainoo was born on April 24, 1943, in Kumasi, Ghana, as the son of Mr. Joe Mainoo and Madam Yaa Safoaa. He embraced his heritage and devout Christian faith, which were foundational elements of his character. His compassionate approach was evident in the way he shared his faith and interacted with patients daily at the outpatient department, often speaking to groups himself and inspiring many.
Dr. Mainoo was multilingual, fluent in Twi, Ga, English, French, and German. He was educated at St. Joseph Boys School, Opoku Ware Secondary School, and the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. He passed away on August 9, 2020, at the age of 77.
His Views on IVF, Beliefs, and Social Viewpoints
I spoke with his current embryologist, Mr. Nana Fredua Agyemang Adomako, who describes Dr. Mainoo as deeply spiritual, often turning to prayer when pregnancy rates dropped. He would gather his team, encouraging them with scripture, and it wasn't uncommon for him to organize prayer sessions in the IVF lab. His dedication to helping couples conceive was unwavering—he was truly "pro-pregnancy."
Dr. Mainoo's groundbreaking work in ART has brought joy to many families in Ghana, yet it has not been without significant cultural and religious hurdles. The societal stigma attached to ART poses challenges for couples choosing this path to parenthood. In an early interview, he recounted the cultural and religious challenges he faced as the news of the first IVF baby emerged. He often encountered objections from both Christian and Muslim communities regarding the morality of ART, questioning whether such practices challenged divine will. However, Dr. Mainoo noted that many supporters within these communities argued that the knowledge and capabilities for such technologies are gifts from God, citing scriptural references like Jeremiah 8:22, which speaks to healing through divine provision.
His advocacy has led to broader acceptance of ART in Ghanaian society and religious bodies. He believed that ART is a blessing that can bring joy to many hopeful parents and consistently emphasized that the knowledge and capabilities for such technologies are divine gifts.
IN the News from the past
Pro Vita Specialist Hospital: Founded the Pro Vita Specialist Hospital in Tema in 1985 after leaving the Ministry of Health
IVF Pioneer: Conducted the first successful IVF procedure in Ghana in 1995 at Pro Vita Specialist Hospital
Sperm Banking: Established Ghana’s first sperm bank as part of the IVF treatment process
Article by:
Dr M McCarthy
Dr. E. Fleischer-Djoleto
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