About the Theme

This year’s theme — “Achieving Excellence in Comprehensive Cleft Care in Ghana through Effective Collaboration and Partnership” — underscores the importance of unity and multidisciplinary teamwork. GHACLIP believes that by strengthening networks among healthcare professionals, institutions, and organizations, we can create sustainable systems that transform lives and empower families affected by cleft conditions.

🎤 Key Highlights

• Inspirational keynote sessions from leading cleft care experts and health advocates

• Panel discussions exploring innovations, policy frameworks, and community-based care models

• Workshops and training sessions to enhance clinical and collaborative skills

• Networking opportunities for professionals, students, and organizations passionate about cleft care

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Guest Speaker

Join us as we welcome renowned professionals from Ghana and abroad, whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the future of cleft management and healthcare collaboration.

Meet Our Guest Speaker All The Way from Alabama

Dr. John Henry Grant III

Dr. John Henry Grant III is a distinguished plastic surgeon and academic leader, who until January 2025, served as the James C. Lee III Professor of Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He was Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery and Director of the UAB Cleft and Craniofacial Center, where he has advanced multidisciplinary care for children with congenital and acquired craniofacial differences.

A graduate of Duke University with honors in psychology, Dr. Grant earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery training at UAB and specialized in plastic surgery at the University of Washington, followed by a craniofacial fellowship under Dr. Joseph S. Gruss in Seattle.

Nationally board-certified in plastic surgery, Dr. Grant has been recognized by his peers in Best Doctors in America for over a decade. His research has focused on cleft and craniofacial outcomes, trauma biomechanics, and surgical innovations to improve speech and aesthetic results in children. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presented extensively at national and international conferences.

Dr. Grant is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons. In addition to his clinical and research contributions, he has mentored fellows and trainees from around the world, helping shape the future of pediatric plastic surgery.

Through his commitment to teaching, research, and compassionate care, Dr. Grant continues to advance the field of craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery globally.

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Conference Sub Themes

1. Community awareness and stigma in cleft lip and palate care

2. Nutrition and feeding challenges in infants with orofacial conditions

3.Speech therapy and communication in cleft patients

4. Psychosocial support for children with cleft care

5. Data and research: measuring progress on cleft lip and palate

6. Health policy and advocacy for improved cleft care in Ghana

Our Speakers

This year’s conference will be graced by our local and international speakers.

Prof. Albert Painstil

Topic:

1.General Role of various disciplines in treating patients in clet care and craniofacial anomalies

2.Importance of evaluaion by different team members.

Dr. Solomon Obiri- Yeboah

Topic: Psychosocial support for families of chldren with cleft lip

Prof.Pius Agbernorku

Topic: Community awareness and stigma reduction in cleft lip and palate

Prof. Peter Donkor

Topic: Data and Research; measuring progress in cleft care

Prof. Mrs G. Plange-Rhule

Topic : Nutrition and Feeding challenges in Infants with oral cleft

Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tetteh

Health policy for improved cleft care in ghana

Ms. Nana Akua Owusu

Topic: Speech Therapy and comunication in cleft

Dr. Fabo Mazzoleni

Topic : The Milan Surgical Protocol For Cleft Lip and Palate

Our Partners and Sponsors

This year’s conference is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners, whose commitment to empowerment continues to make real impact across Ghana

Our Team

Behind every successful event stands a team of passionate minds and dedicated hearts. The 2nd Ghana Cleft Lip & Palate Conference is the result of the tireless effort, collaboration, and commitment of an extraordinary team determined to make a lasting impact in cleft care across Ghana.
From planning to execution, every detail of this conference reflects the shared vision of unity, excellence, and compassion that defines GHACLIP. Our organizing committee, advisory board, volunteers, and partners have worked hand in hand to ensure that this year’s conference not only informs and educates — but inspires action and connection.