Ghana’s Skin Health advocate takes global stage at International Congress of Dermatology in Rome

In the heart of Rome—where the weight of scientific legacy intersects with contemporary medical innovation—Dr. Kofi Ansah Brifo raised Ghana’s flag high, spotlighting the nation’s dermatological challenges and aspirations before a global audience at the 14th International Congress of Dermatology (ICD 2025).

Delivering an address titled “The Scope of Dermatology in Ghana,” Dr. Brifo, a Consultant Dermatologist and Member of the International Society of Dermatology (ISD), captivated experts from around the world with his blend of scholarly depth and urgent realism.

“Ghana has fewer than 30 certified dermatologists serving a population of over 33 million,” Dr. Brifo, who also serves as the Resident Dermatologist at Osu Rabito Clinic, told delegates. “That’s one dermatologist for more than a million people.”

Backed by public health data, Dr. Brifo painted a stark picture of dermatological care in Ghana—highlighting a critical shortage of specialists, the absence of vital diagnostic services like dermatopathology, and systemic neglect of rural and underserved communities.

“Rural and underserved communities are disproportionately affected, with limited access to specialists and essential diagnostic tools like dermatopathology,” he said.

He cited common but often neglected conditions such as eczema, fungal infections, scabies, acne, and chronic ulcers—cases that remain underdiagnosed and untreated across the country. Making matters worse, he noted, is the rise of cosmetic dermatology driven by unsafe products and misinformation.

One story gripped the room: that of a four-year-old girl whose skin was permanently damaged by a bleaching cream her mother bought online in a misguided attempt to lighten her complexion. It was a haunting moment for Dr. Brifo.

“It was not just a consultation,” he said, “but a confrontation with the devastating cost of misinformation.”

Speaking to ModernGhana News Network, Dr. Brifo outlined the layered crises within Ghana’s dermatology space—ranging from lack of trained professionals and inadequate infrastructure to the rampant misuse of skin-lightening products and limited funding for public awareness.

“These challenges are not just medical—they are systemic and cultural, demanding a multi-sectoral response from government, academia, civil society, and the media,” he emphasised.

As solutions, Dr. Brifo proposed bold reforms: expanding local dermatology training programs in partnership with global institutions; launching nationwide skin health education campaigns; decentralising services through teledermatology and outreach clinics; investing in diagnostic infrastructure such as dermatopathology labs; and building leadership through mentorship and research pipelines.

He was unequivocal in his belief that the country has the human capital and determination to overcome these hurdles—but said Ghana must now match ambition with coordinated action and funding.

“Skin health is not a luxury for the privileged—it is a basic human right,” Dr. Brifo declared.

Reflecting on his appearance at the prestigious ICD 2025 gathering, he described the moment not just as a personal milestone, but as a voice for a larger community back home.

“As I stood beneath the global banners of dermatology in Rome, I carried with me the dreams of patients from Tamale to Tarkwa, of students struggling to specialise, and of mothers desperate for answers. Dermatology in Ghana may be a road less travelled—but it is a future worth building.”

He concluded with a powerful call to action: Ghana must invest, educate, and extend care to all corners of the nation.

“And if Rome was any indication, Ghana’s dermatology voice has not only entered the global conversation—it is helping to shape it.”