UG School of Pharmacy Clinches Top Honours at Maiden PSGH Pharma Excellence Awards
The University of Ghana School of Pharmacy has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to pharmacy education, emerging as the winner of the prestigious Prof. A. N. Tackie Excellence in Pharma Award at the maiden edition of the Pharma Excellence Awards.
The recognition was conferred at the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) Pharma Excellence Awards ceremony, an event dedicated to celebrating excellence in research, manufacturing, quality assurance and pharmacy practice in Ghana.
The School of Pharmacy stood out against strong competition from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Faculty of Pharmacy and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) School of Pharmacy.
Held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence. Honoring Impact. Inspiring the Future,” the awards event brought together key stakeholders in Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector.
Opening the ceremony, the President of PSGH, Pharm. Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, highlighted the significance of the awards, noting that the initiative was designed to honour individuals and institutions whose efforts drive the pharmacy value chain and strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system.
He emphasised that pharmacy practice thrives on the diverse expertise of its players from research and production to regulation and clinical application.
The Hon. Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, delivering the keynote address, praised the PSGH for instituting the awards scheme, describing it as a timely initiative that highlights the shared mission to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana.
He noted that the 23 award categories reflected the depth and diversity of the pharmacy profession, spanning community practice, hospital services, academia, industry, public health and regulatory affairs.
The Minister encouraged all stakeholders to continue their collaborative efforts in building a resilient pharmaceutical ecosystem capable of addressing Ghana’s current and future healthcare needs. Hon. Akandoh further congratulated all awardees for their commitment to excellence, innovation, leadership and service.
Prof. Julius Isaac Asiedu-Gyekye, Dean of the School of Pharmacy (UGSOP), attributed the School’s success at the Awards event to “constant remembrance of our vision, teamwork, UG leadership and a determination to bring out the best in every student.”
Speaking after receiving the award, the Dean dedicated the honour to the University and colleagues at the School, noting the collective effort behind the achievement.
"I dedicate this award to UG and the entire staff of UGSOP," he said, adding that the recognition serves as motivation for the School to continue raising the bar in pharmacy education and research.
The Awards Committee was chaired by renowned pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Consultant, Rev. Jonathan Y. Martey.
Established as a constituent of the College of Health Sciences, UGSOP has consistently demonstrated excellence in pharmaceutical education and research. The school offers a comprehensive Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme, designed to equip students with the requisite skills and competencies for effective pharmaceutical care across various settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.
In recent years, UGSOP has achieved significant milestones. Notably, in the 2024 Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualifying Exams (GPPQE), the school recorded a remarkable 98% pass rate. Among the 624 candidates nationwide, Maame Adjoa Gyasiwaa Aidoo, a final-year PharmD student from UGSOP, emerged as the overall best candidate, exemplifying the school's dedication to academic excellence.