ART Bill nearing passage-Prof. Beyuo

The Bill regulating Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in Ghana is close to being passed, according to Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Professor Titus Beyuo.

Speaking at the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Fertility Society of Ghana (FESGO), the former General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association revealed that the Minister of Health is actively finalising two key legislative proposals — the ART Bill and a Bill on Organ Donation and Transplant Medicine.

Prof Beyuo, who serves on both the Parliamentary Health Committee and the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, says the process is now at an advanced stage and could be concluded during the current sitting of Parliament.

He noted that although many believed the ART Bill had previously reached Parliament, it never made it past Cabinet during the eighth Parliament. However, he confirmed that extensive technical work, led by FESGO over more than three years, has already been completed.

Prof Beyuo urged fertility practitioners and stakeholders to maintain pressure on policymakers. “Now is the best time to act,” he said, stressing that the Minister has already formed a committee to ensure the Bills are pushed through to completion.

He argued that a legal framework is urgently needed to protect patients, practitioners, investors and regulators. Ghana, he warned, risks falling behind as medical practice continues to outpace existing legislation.

He pointed to growing public interest in procedures such as egg and sperm preservation, particularly among individuals approaching their late 30s who are not yet ready for childbirth.