In a grand historic celebration, the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, have performed the formal launch of a Joint Medical and Student Exchange programme at the Great Hall.
Delivering brief remarks on the partnership, Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, Dean of UGMS, announced that the joint medical programme is designed to allow students to complete the first three years of their studies at the University of the West Indies, leading to the award of a BSc. Post-Clinical Science degree by the University of the West Indies. Students who successfully complete the BSc. Programme would be admitted to the fourth year of the MBChB programme at the University of Ghana Medical School.
Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, Dean of UGMS
The Vice-Chancellor and Chairperson of the programme, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her opening remarks, presented the background of the programme and disclosed that the establishment of the student exchange programme will also enable staff and students from the University of Ghana and the University of the West Indies to collaborate in ground-breaking research, teaching and learning.
Vice-Chancellor and Chairperson of the programme, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
"It is my belief that this launch will serve as a major springboard to the realisation of the vision of promoting international visibility for our universities and a new chapter in the academic journey for both universities", said Prof. Amfo.
Prof. Clive Landis, Principal and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UWI, who expressed delight about the successful take-off of the UG-UWI Joint Transnational Medical Programme, highlighted the authenticity of the programme as it is accredited by the professional medical bodies of both Ghana and Barbados.
Prof. Clive Landis, Principal and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UWI
Whilst applauding the individuals who worked tirelessly to bring the programme into fruition, H.E. Mrs. Juliette Babb-Riley, High Commission of Barbados in Accra, expressed optimism in the further deepening the relationship between the two institutions.
H.E. Mrs. Juliette Babb-Riley, High Commission of Barbados in Accra
The launch was followed by a public lecture delivered by Dr. Kenneth Connell, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (UWI), on the topic, “From Bridgetown to Accra – Hypertension as a Threat to the Diaspora: Lessons from COVID 19”.
Delivering the lecture, Dr. Connell strongly advocated for the universal health system to be holistically approached in order not to focus on, for example, infectious diseases at the expense of others. He indicated that per the recent WHO Global Report on Hypertension, one in three adults is hypertensive, yet four out of five of such people are not receiving the needed care to keep their hypertension under control.
Dr. Kenneth Connell, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (UWI)
Emphasising the importance of mass testing as a strategy to reduce the unawareness of hypertension status amongst a population, the lecturer encouraged every household in Ghana to acquire the blood pressure monitor as it is a critical tool for detecting undiagnosed hypertension.
More details about the UG-UWI Joint Transnational Medical Programme were provided during a question and answer session.
The Vice-Chancellor closed the session by laying stress on lifestyle change, including incorporating physical exercises such as walking and cycling in daily routines. “We cannot say hypertension is a disease for the elderly. It is catching up with every one of us, so we need to take these precautions. It is easier to form certain healthy habits while you are still young than much later in your years”, she advised.
After the lecture, Prof. Amfo and Prof. Landis exchanged gifts. The event was interspersed with beautiful Ghanaian cultural performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble from the Institute of African Studies.
Some attendees at the event
University officials present included Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs; Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences; Rev. Prof. Patrick Ferdinand Ayeh Kumi, former Provost College of Health Sciences and Prof. Margaret Lartey, former Dean, UGMS.
The event was also attended by officials from the High Commission of Barbados in Accra, a cross-section of members from the College of Health Sciences and UGMS, students and the members of the University community.
