A former Member of Parliament for Adentan, Kojo Adu-Asare, has shared the painful realities of living with kidney disease, revealing that he has been on dialysis for the past six years after being diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in January 2020.

Speaking in an emotional interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen on Friday, May 15, 2026, the former MP recounted the physical, emotional and financial toll of the condition, while urging Ghanaians to seek proper medical treatment instead of relying on unproven remedies.

“I've been living with kidney disease… there are stages. Once it gets to stage four, then you are at the end stage, and once you get to the end stage, you are stuck. There’s no way to reverse anything,” he said.

According to him, many patients often underestimate the seriousness of kidney disease until complications force them into emergency care.

“Herbalists can tell you all manner of stories, but you end up in an emergency room one day. When it gets to that point, please seek proper medical care because concoctions can worsen the situation,” he advised.

Kojo Adu Asare disclosed that he undergoes dialysis three times every week: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with each session lasting four hours.

“Dialysis is crazy. I wake up at 4:30 AM, and by 6:45 or 7:00 AM, I’m on the machine for four hours,” he stated.

He also explained that the long and exhausting treatment routine has significantly affected his daily life, to the extent that he had to stop driving himself and employ a driver.

The former MP further recalled a frightening incident in which he collapsed shortly after returning home from dialysis, leading to a fractured hip and emergency admission at the 37 Military Hospital.

“My BP dropped and I collapsed. I fractured my hip and had to be rushed to 37. Even while on admission, I was still doing dialysis,” he recounted.

Despite the ordeal, Kojo Adu-Asare said he refuses to allow the illness to consume his life or spirit.

“I’m not the type who wants to glorify pain and sorrow. Negative situations wear me down, so, I try to make something out of it. After all, you only live once. If you have to die, die a happy person. Don’t die a miserable death,” he said.

Kojo Adu-Asare further highlighted the heavy financial burden associated with dialysis treatment, indicating that the cost per session has increased steadily over the years.

According to him, treatment initially costs GH¢450 per session before rising to GH¢550 and later GH¢650, creating a huge strain on patients who require lifelong care.

Watch the full video below:



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