Nine medical students have grad­uated from the Accra College of Medicine (ACM) after a success­ful completion of their programme.

The graduation ceremony which was the fifth in the history of ACM, took place at the Institute of Statis­tical Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, on Saturday, December 2.

The ceremony was under the theme, “The dilemma of the newly graduated doctor in a challenging environment: Do l stay or do l go?”

The Chairman of ACM Council, Emeritus Prof. Stephen Adei, noted that Ghanaians were looking forward to the private sector to lead the way in the country’s educational pro­gramme.

He said ACM with its commitment to pursuing excellence in the medi­cal field and making a difference in the lives of others with compassion, empathy, joy, love among others, must be seen as a pace setter.

He said this was necessary because the public universities were faced with a myriad of challenges which included over enrollment, coupled with inadequate infrastructure to commensurate with the high demand by students.

Prof. Adei was of the view that irrespective of its numerous criti­cisms, the free Senior High School policy has been a game changer in the country’s educational pro­gramme.

The guest speaker, Prof. Marga­ret Lartey, in her keynote address, said though the challenges of low remuneration, unavailability of equipment to work with, frustrations in progression in the medical field which had existed in the past were still there, they should stay in the country and contribute their quota to the welfare of their families, and communities who had contributed immensely towards their education.

She said others who had gone to work abroad were confronted with high taxes which eventually eroded their emoluments.

Prof. Lartey advised those who would get the opportunity to read specialists programmes abroad that they should quickly return to Ghana to assist in the health needs of the people.

The President of ACM, Prof. Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse, said the univer­sity operated on a robust programme which has equipped the students with the right attitude for their cho­sen profession.

She asked them to focus on ex­cellence to enable them to achieve incredible heights in their medical career.

Dr Benjamin Fenny, the Valedicto­rian, swept eight prestigious awards, while Dr Adjowa Hawa Adjeleh Addo- Yobo took seven awards