Kwame Kwofie, a citizen of Ghana, found himself in uncharted territory when he faced a head and neck cancer diagnosis thousands of miles away from home in 2013.
His journey to UNC Health began while he was working in Africa under contract with the United Nations (U.N.) in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Kenya. What initially appeared to be symptoms of acid reflux were later diagnosed as a paralyzed vocal cord. However, when his condition didn’t improve, an MRI exam revealed more serious findings that required surgery on his trachea.
Before he could undergo the surgery, Kwame began experiencing severe breathing issues. One night, his wife, Robinah, rushed him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, where he had an emergency tracheotomy. The procedure saved his life, but it also left him unable to speak.
Concerned, Kwame and his wife contacted their daughters, who were living in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the time. Knowing Ghana did not have the specialized care or equipment to help Kwame regain his speech, his daughters suggested that he and Robinah come to the United States for help.
Connecting with UNC Health for care
For the next several months, Kwame communicated only through writing. He was referred to UNC Health’s Trevor Hackman, MD, FACS, division chief of head and neck surgical oncology and UNC Lineberger member, and speech pathologist Brian Kanapkey, MA, CCC-SLP. Testing revealed that Kwame had laryngeal cancer and damage to both of his vocal cords.
Though he now had the correct diagnosis, Kwame’s journey continued to present hurdles.
After two successful surgeries to remove the tumors, Kwame faced another major challenge: his visa was expiring, and he could not remain in the U.S. for follow-up care. By then, he had undergone a total laryngectomy — a life-altering procedure that removes the voice box. From that point forward, he would breathe through a stoma, a surgically created hole in his neck, and would need to relearn how to speak and care for his airway.
Recovery, team care and survivorship
Rehabilitation after total laryngectomy requires physical, emotional and practical adaptation. Kwame’s recovery involved learning to use a tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) for verbal communication and becoming independently skilled in managing his new airway. Robinah was trained alongside him, learning to support his therapies and serve as a partner in his daily care.
Once the couple returned to Ghana, they came across another challenge — limited access to the medical supplies Kwame needed for ongoing care. Although his insurance through the U.N. covered the cost, shipping logistics made it nearly impossible to get them directly. Hackman and Kanapkey worked with the couple to find a solution: the supplies would be sent to their daughters in the U.S., who would then forward them to Ghana. The care team also ensured that Robinah was fully trained to manage Kwame’s care at home.
Their experience highlighted a broader global health issue — how resource-limited settings can complicate survivorship for patients with complex care needs. Motivated to help others, Kwame and Robinah began sharing their story and advocating for change. Today, Robinah teaches other families how to navigate care gaps and supply challenges in similar settings.
Kanapkey, who guided the couple through voice restoration and self-care training, praised their perseverance.
“It’s been a great privilege to work with and get to know amazing people like Kwame and Robinah,” Kanapkey said. “While our relationship has always been a professional one for voice restoration and self-care training, my sessions with the Kwofies often feel like meeting with good friends. Their diligence, success in dealing with adversity and unwavering pursuit of positive change was and continues to be an inspiration to all of us.
“Seeing Kwame learn to speak again for the first time after total laryngectomy and hearing his endearing African accent come through was worthy of a few tears of joy. Since then, he and Robinah have returned to Ghana, where both act as ambassadors for life after total laryngectomy, always ready to help others facing similar challenges. You can see a light in the eyes of this wonderful couple when they receive an opportunity to act as models and counselors to others just getting started on their own journey,” Kanapkey said.
“While our clinic visits together are much less frequent now, when they come in, just follow the crowd. You’ll hear Kwame’s unique accent and his genuine flair for spoken words, which serve as a true testament to his nature.”
Lasting impressions and paying it forward
Hackman also spoke to the lasting impression the couple made on staff.
“On a personal note, it has been my absolute pleasure to know Mr. Kwofie. Kwame is a genuine and tremendous human being who lights up every room that he comes in to with his positivity and smile. Seeing the love and partnership between him and Robinah is truly inspiring to myself and all who are fortunate enough to know the Kwofies. It is a reminder to all of us how critical a strong support system is to success in the treatment of patients with cancer and their long-term survivorship,” Hackman said.
“To say that they are ambassadors of head and neck cancer survivorship undersells how tremendous they have been in paying it forward to others around them and always looking for ways to contribute and lead with positivity and inspiration. We are so grateful to be part of their journey.”
Kwame recalls how faith was their anchor during this time, providing strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
“It was our faith, coupled with the emotional and practical support from my wife, that fueled my recovery and inspired us to advocate for change. We hope our story serves as a testament to the power of hope, faith and community in overcoming cancer, no matter where you may reside,” Kwame said.