Dr. Kofi Ansah Brifo, Resident Dermatologist at Osu Rabito Clinic in Accra, has drawn a compelling parallel between the skin condition acne vulgaris and the resilient life of Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir VIII.
Describing the founder of Rabito Clinics as “the Man Behind the White Coat and the Rosary,” Dr. Brifo praised Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII as a symbol of perseverance, stating that “life is a metaphor for resilience. And strangely enough—so is acne vulgaris.”
He added that in the heart of Ghanaian dermatology, Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII stands out not just for his decades-long medical practice but also as “a man unforgettable as the conditions he treats daily.”
“Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII is a living institution. He is not just a consultant dermatologist; he is a survivor of 17 road traffic accidents, a plane crash, and more surgical interventions than most people have on birthdays. He is a chief, a staunch Catholic, a vegan, a father, and above all, a humble human being with a rosary in one pocket and unwavering faith in his heart,” Dr. Brifo said during the revitalized CDA Consult weekly health information platform, “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility.”
The platform aims to enhance public health literacy and empower individuals to make informed health decisions.
Speaking on the topic, “Scars, Survival, and Sebum: What Acne Vulgaris Can Learn from Naa Professor Edmund Delle,” Dr. Brifo emphasized that acne vulgaris, though often underestimated, has significant psychosocial consequences for young people.
Through a symbolic narrative, Dr. Brifo illustrated how the life journey of Naa Prof Delle mirrors the clinical course of acne vulgaris — both marked by persistence, setbacks, and the need for resilience.
In his presentation, “Acne Vulgaris: More Than Skin Deep,” Dr. Brifo explained that acne is often trivialized as a temporary teenage issue.
“But for many adolescents in Ghana and across Africa, acne is not just a skin problem — it’s a psychological minefield. With its periodic flare-ups, stubborn nodules, and lingering scars, acne is the Rambo of skin diseases — unpredictable, persistent, and prone to return when least expected. Just when you think the coast is clear, it stages a comeback,” he noted.
“Yes. Much like Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII — a revered Ghanaian dermatologist, statesman, and survivor — acne too survives every attack from over-the-counter ointments to steaming rituals with neem leaves,” Dr. Brifo added.
Highlighting five parallels between acne and the life of Naa Prof Delle — including sudden onset, recurrence, interventions, visible and emotional scars, spiritual grounding, and humility — Dr. Brifo emphasized the importance of holistic healing.
He explained that just as accidents strike without warning, acne often appears suddenly during the vulnerable period of adolescence. He compared Naa Prof Delle’s survival of multiple traumatic events to the stubborn nature of acne, which often requires sustained and varied treatments.
Dr. Brifo further noted that both physical and emotional scars from acne can be long-lasting, yet they also speak to endurance. “In the mirror and in history, both Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII and acne patients carry marks that whisper, ‘I’m still here.’”
Drawing attention to Naa Prof Delle’s spiritual discipline, he said, “Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII, Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area, also carries his rosary as an emblem of faith,” and emphasized that youth coping with acne often need emotional anchors such as counseling, family support, or faith.
“Acne, after all, does not just affect the face; it affects the faith in oneself,” he said.
Dr. Brifo also pointed out that acne teaches humility: “Just like Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII’s humility, despite his accomplishments, acne teaches young people that healing is not just medical but also emotional and that the road to clear skin, like the road to self-worth, takes time.”
“If acne vulgaris had a personality, it would be bold, relentless, and annoyingly persistent, not unlike the challenges that tried but failed, to break Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII. Yet, like him, many youths with acne emerge stronger, wiser, and more empathetic after the journey.”
“So perhaps, the next time a young Ghanaian stares into the mirror, frustrated by the stubborn bumps on their face, they might remember the great Nandom Paramount Chief Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII and realize that survival, even with scars, is a badge of honour.”
Dr. Brifo concluded with a heartfelt message: “To all dermatology patients and practitioners: Let’s treat acne as we would treat people with compassion, patience, and perspective. And to the Nandom Naa, the chief who never let scars define him, you are proof that beauty, resilience, and leadership can co-exist one rosary bead at a time.”
The CDA Consult’s “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility” platform is part of the broader Holistic Health Information Change Paradigm Advocacy — a public health education initiative that promotes awareness, encourages healthier choices, and complements the work of medical professionals by making accurate information accessible to all.
