Humanitarian Eye Care Mission – Ghana 2025
Location: Hohoe & Adzato Electoral Area, Anloga District – Volta Region, Ghana
Date: October 27 – November 4, 2025
Executive Summary
The Humanitarian Eye Care Mission – Ghana 2025 was successfully completed across two main regions of the Volta Region: Hohoe and the Adzato Electoral Area in the Anloga District.
A total of 333 patients were examined, diagnosed, and supported through professional eye care services, including comprehensive eye examinations, fundus photography, AI-assisted retinal screening, and optical prescriptions.
The mission was organized by Stichting Licht voor het Oog (Light for the Eye Foundation), a Netherlands-based non-profit initiative dedicated to improving access to eye care in underserved communities.
It was carried out in close cooperation with Ghanaian health professionals and local authorities.
Project Phases
Phase 1: Hohoe (October 27–30, 2025
The mission began in Hohoe and surrounding communities, focusing on the delivery of over 100 eyeglasses prescribed during the previous outreach in early 2025.
This phase was coordinated and organized by Mr. Lawrence Asare, who managed local logistics, patient tracing, and community engagement.
Patients were re-examined, their visual performance verified, and corrective eyewear provided.
The event also served as a review of follow-up data from earlier screenings, confirming a high improvement rate in visual acuity and overall patient satisfaction.
Phase 2: Adzato Electoral Area (October 31 – November 4, 2025)
The second phase took place in the Adzato Electoral Area, covering 11 villages:
Adzato, Akplorfudzi, Klomikpota, Kpordui, Sodzi, Aflorto, Vorvornukorpe, Hadota, Sokutsime, Amenyokorpe, and Tregui/Agortoe.
This phase focused on free vision testing, diabetic retinopathy screening, and AI-assisted fundus imaging.
Local healthcare workers were also trained in the use of portable retinal cameras and basic visual acuity tools, laying the foundation for sustainable follow-up care.
Project Coordination and Partnerships
International coordination:
• Stichting Licht voor het Oog (Light for the Eye Foundation) – Netherlands
• Johannes Schoonhoven, Eye Care Coordinator and Founder
• Jonathan Schoonhoven, Project Support
• Amir Katzin, Optometry Advisor and Founder
• John Kinn Hoedoafia, International Coordinator
Local coordination:
• Mr. Lawrence Asare, Local Organizer for Hohoe and surrounding communities
• Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia, Ph. D Executive Secretary Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization Office of the President
• Dr. Cephas Hoedoafia (Snr.), Ghana Health Service
• Hon. Abraham Apertogbor, Assembly Member, Adzato Electoral Area
• Torgbui Agbeve IV, Traditional Ruler and Chief of Adzato
• Dr. Eric Kwao and Mr. Eugene Zormelo, Volta Regional Health Directorate
Team Hohoe EyeCare: Mrs Irene Kumagah, Mr Francis Freeman Darko, Mrs Vivian Adade Darko
Team Netherlands: Mrs. Saba, Mrs. Nazira Aku Ati, Jeroen van Vliet
The project received additional support from local health centers, community leaders, and volunteers, ensuring full coverage of the target population.
Results and Impact
• 333 patients examined and supported
• Over 100 eyeglasses fitted and to be delivered between December 2025 and January 2026
• AI-supported detection of early-stage diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma
• Training for local healthcare workers on screening and basic eye diagnostics
• National media coverage from Angel TV, Angel 24, GH TV1, and a representative of the Jubilee House
Public Health Outcomes
The mission demonstrated a high prevalence of refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease, especially among middle-aged and elderly populations.
Approximately 42% of all participants required prescription glasses, while 18%were identified as needing referral for surgical or pharmacological treatment.
The findings highlight an urgent need for accessible medical eye care in rural Ghana.
Untreated eye conditions remain a significant public health issue, leading to social isolation, reduced productivity, and long-term economic consequences for families.
Eyeglass Production and Delivery
All optical prescriptions have been verified and are currently in production in the Netherlands.
The customized eyeglasses are scheduled for delivery to Ghana between December 2025 and January 2026.
The distribution process will be managed in cooperation with local coordinators and health facilities to ensure accurate delivery and fitting.
Future Development and Sustainability
The Light for the Eye Foundation aims to transition from short-term outreach to sustainable, locally anchored eye-care systems.
Key focus areas for 2026 include:
• Establishing permanent community eye clinics in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service.
• Partnering with local hospitals to enable regular cataract and glaucoma surgery programs.
• Introducing affordable diabetic eye-care packages, including screenings, medication support, and nutritional guidance.
• Expanding cooperation to other regions in Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Suriname, under the same humanitarian framework.
Acknowledgements
This mission would not have been possible without the collaboration of numerous partners and individuals.
Special thanks to:
• EyeCheckup, AI Bringing innovation to healthcare by utilizing artificial intelligence technology for retinal disease screening and preventing the 80% preventable blindness and vision loss.
• EssilorLuxottica, is a global leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of advanced vision care products, eyewear and med-tech solutions.
• Mr. Lawrence Asare, for his outstanding leadership in Hohoe and its surrounding communities.
• Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia and Dr. Cephas Hoedoafia (Snr.), for medical supervision and guidance.
• Hon. Abraham Apertogbor, for coordinating the Adzato outreach.
• Torgbui Agbeve IV, for his hospitality and support.
• Dr. Eric Kwao and Mr. Eugene Zormelo, for facilitating public health cooperation.
• Auntie Kafui, Uncle Thomas, Hon. Lumor, and all volunteers for their commitment.
• The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in The Hague, for their assistance in logistics and customs facilitation.
Conclusion
The Humanitarian Eye Care Mission – Ghana 2025 represents a concrete and measurable step toward improving visual health and reducing preventable blindness in the Volta Region.
The collaboration between Dutch and Ghanaian professionals has proven highly effective, creating both medical and social impact within a short timeframe.
While immediate goals such as diagnosis and eyeglass delivery have been achieved, the mission revealed an ongoing and critical need for surgical eye care, glaucoma management, and continuous screening.
Addressing these challenges will require long-term investment, local partnerships, and international cooperation.
The foundation expresses its sincere gratitude to all involved and remains committed to advancing sustainable eye care solutions for the people of Ghana and beyond.
Contact Information
Stichting Licht voor het Oog (Light for the Eye Foundation)
Keizersgracht 520H – 1017 EK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.stichtinglichtvoorhetoog.nl
info@stichtinglichtvoorhetoog.nl
0031.683348230
