Chris Oppong

Chairman

Chris Oppong FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg)

Chris is currently the Chairman of Operation Hernia.  He was one of the two co-founders of Operation Hernia along with its former CEO, Professor Andrew Kingsnorth.  Over the last 20 years Chris has organised over 60 Operation Hernia missions and led many of the teams of volunteers.

Chris is a retired Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. He is a current an Examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is a former Director of Cancer Services for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.  Chris is originally from Ghana, is married with three adult children and is an elder at Mutley Baptist Church in Plymouth.

Jacob Akoh

Vice Chairman

Mr Jacob A Akoh MBBS, FMCS, FRCSEd, FWACS, FRCS(Gen), FICS, FEBS, FACS

Jacob Akoh is a retired Consultant General and Transplant Surgeon from Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, and former Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Plymouth. He held senior leadership roles including Director of the South West Transplant Centre and Clinical Director of Surgery and Renal Services, and served on the British Transplantation Society Training Committee and Council. A committed surgical educator, he has been an intercollegiate examiner and has contributed extensively to training and mentorship. Jacob has published widely, co-edited a book on dialysis access, and served as a reviewer and editorial board member for several international journals. A veteran of Operation Hernia for over 20 years, he has taken part in numerous missions and supported surgical training initiatives across several African countries.  

Della Ball

Secretary

Della Ball RCN

Della is a registered nurse and experienced theatre practitioner with over 30 years’ service at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, where she worked extensively in operating theatres with significant involvement in neurosurgery. She now works as a Theatre Manager in private practice, continuing her commitment to high standards of patient care and surgical teamwork. A dedicated trustee of Operation Hernia, Della is a long-standing volunteer who has joined multiple missions to Ghana and Rwanda, providing expert peri-operative support and compassionate care to patients undergoing hernia and neurosurgery procedures. She is actively involved in fundraising and serves as a passionate ambassador for the charity at conferences and events. Known for her warmth and practical expertise, Della is committed to improving access to safe surgery worldwide.  

Shina Fawole

Treasurer

Shina is a Consultant General and GI Surgeon based in Wakefield, UK. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and completed specialist surgical training in Leeds and Leicester, UK. He holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons and an MD from Keele University, UK. Shina has a specialist interest in GI and hernia surgery, including complex abdominal wall and laparoscopic hernia procedures. A dedicated educator, he has run multiple hernia training workshops in the UK and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds. He is a member of the Hernia Outcome Campaign, promoting patient access to hernia surgery in the UK. Shina has been involved with Operation Hernia since 2009, leading numerous missions and supporting the training of UK ASIT fellows.

Arun Ariyarathenam

Risk Advisor

Arun Ariyarathenam MA, MB BChir, FRCS (Eng)

Arun a Consultant Robotic Oesophago-gastric and Bariatric Surgeon at University Hospitals Plymouth. A graduate of Magdalene College, Cambridge, he completed specialist training in Plymouth, Bristol and Cambridge before his consultant appointment in 2016. He has held senior leadership roles including Director of Oesophago-gastric Surgery and Deputy Director for Surgery and Anaesthesia. A passionate educator, he serves as Departmental Educational Lead and Fellowship Programme Director, receiving multiple teaching awards. Arun is committed to global surgery and equitable access to safe hernia care, first volunteering with Operation Hernia in 2015 and joining the Board of Directors in 2018. Through various projects, he supports training, mentorship, and sustainable surgical development, combining expertise with compassion, teamwork, and a belief in service beyond borders.