Profile
Dr Anabah, agent of change in the health sector
Dr Thomas Winsum Anabah is a professional medical doctor whose specialties include critical care, emergency medicine and anaesthesiology. He is among the few medical doctors with such specialties.
He is experienced in Health Management with practical approach to problem solving and has a knack for “see things through” to a successful completion.
Challenges in his early years could not kill his vision of becoming a health practitioner and he has over the years continued to contribute effectively to providing quality service in the health sector.
The Spectator caught up with him recently to delve into his professional and personal life.
Background
Dr Anabah hails from a town called Garu, in the Worikambo Electoral Area in the Upper East Region.
The talented medical doctor has six siblings, from the late Joseph Anabah and Mrs Veronica Anabah.
Dr Anabah speaks English, Spanish, Italian, Kusaal, Hausa and Twi and is married with two children.
Education
Having an indefatigable father who occupied portfolios of a teacher and politician, Dr Anabah had his primary school education in a haphazard manner.
He went to Nalerigu Primary School and later attended Worikambo Primary School and later moved to Bawku Primary School which is also known as Wenamzua Primary School from where he later moved again to Worikambo to attend middle school.
Dr Anabah’s middle school education was not a “straight” one as he moved back and forth from Worikambo and Winanzua middle schools and later proceeded to Bawku Secondary School until he got a scholarship in 1988 to study in Cuba.
From 1988 to 1992, Dr Anabah obtained a Junior High School Diploma from the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial School at Isle of Youth in Cuba, where he was the Senior Prefect and continued his High School education at the Andrei Grechko Senior High School, also at the Isle of Youth, Cuba from 1992 to 1993.
While in the High School, everybody thought Dr Anabah would read Cybernetics because he was a genius at Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry but he rather pursued his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
Attaining a higher feat and making his dream come true, Dr Anabah further attended Higher Institute of Medical Sciences at Santa Clara, Cuba where he studied Medicine from 1995 to 2001.
He was one of the best graduates in the entire university and was also the Best Foreign Student, who took awards in sports, culture among others.
Adding to his educational laurels, the never-say-never doctor enrolled at the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences in Havana, Cuba where he did his Specialist Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation from 2003 to 2007.
He again obtained a Masters in Critical Care and Emergencies from La Sapienza, University of Rome in Italy, from 2008 to 2009.
Professional Experiences
Dr Thomas Winsum Anabah rose through the ranks to become a force to reckon with in the medical field.
He began his clinical attachment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in October 2001 to January 2002 and then became a House Officer there from March 2002 to February 2003.
This hardworking and ambitious health professional later became a Medical Officer from March to October 2003 at the same Hospital.
He served as a Specialist Anaesthesiologist and Resuscitation at the Ridge Hospital, Accra between 2007 and 2008, after which he became a Consultant Anaesthesiologist cum Head of Department Anaesthesia and Critical Care at the same hospital, from 2009 to 2012.
Dr Anabah has been a United Nations Examining Physician since 2013 to date for the world body.
He was the Medical Director of Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Accra from February 2016 to May 2017 where he gave the hospital a tremendous facelift.
Dr Anabah has been the C.E.O of Habana Medical Service, Tamale since June 2017 to date and is also the Executive Director of African Centre for Health Policy Research and Analysis (ACH-PRA) from January 2018 to date.
Achievements
Having a keen interest in the development of health systems in Ghana, Dr Anabah has put up a sterling performance in contributing his quota towards quality health delivery in the nation.
He successfully developed and established a Critical Care Unit at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and also secured a grant from Rotary International to establish an Obstetric High Depended Unit at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
He again developed the first ever BSc Nurse Anaesthesia Programme in Africa and the programme is being rolled out at the University for Development Studies, Tamale, since 2001.
According to him, the programme has come to resolve a huge national problem by creating a clear career pathway for nurse anaesthetists in Ghana who hitherto had no opportunity for career progression in the specialty.
Dr Anabah told The Spectator that he had established and managed a private hospital called “Habana Medical Service” at Tamale which has received several awards both locally and internationally for the quality of care and management style.
“I was celebrated as a Humanitarian Hero by LifeBox Foundation, 2015 in the United Kingdom for my contribution in the development of anaesthesia in the world,” he boldly and happily stated.
He has established and funded a health facility policy think-tank; Africa Centre for Health Policy Research and Analysis (ACH-PRA), headquartered at Tamale.
Hobbies and Interests
The banku and okro soup lover likes reading, gardening, public speaking and sports and is a Rotarian, currently the Rotary Foundation Chair of the Tamale Rotary Club.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Profile
Prisca Abah: Ghana’s modelling powerhouse
Ghanaian model, philanthropist and advocate, Prisca Abah, who is known for her contributions to the fashion industry, is strutting her stuff on higher levels.
She was recently selected as one of the models for the Big8 Girls Project, an initiative by Clinton Samuel to celebrate influential African models.
The project consisted of three episodes: the Bio Shoot which highlighted Abah’s professionalism through a corporate-themed photoshoot; Afrodeity which focused on showcasing her confidence and artistry, celebrating the African divine feminine and royalty which presented Abah as a symbol of African cultural pride, embodying strength and elegance.
The Big8 concept, produced by Clinton Samuel, intentionally highlights and celebrates the strongest and most influential models on the African continent, congratulating their steadfastness and contributions to the African fashion industry, even as they grind and win in other aspects of life.
The Big8 sets hierarchy and high standards in the African fashion and modelling industry, crowning eight of them with the ‘Top Model’ status as the leading female models in Ghana at the moment.
“Working with these fiery women will surely ignite more creative minds and stir the pot of positive competition,” said Clinton.
Abah’s early life and career
Prisca Abah began her modelling career in 2013, achieving her first notable milestone in 2014 with an editorial shoot for 5-Star International Modelling Agency. In 2015, she made her runway debut at the Ghana Fashion Awards.
From 2016 to 2018, Abah participated in major African fashion events such as Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg, and Rhythms on the Runway.
During this period, she received accolades, including the “Best Female Model of the Year” and spoke as a UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 at the Sustainable Rice Platform Conference.
International recognition and pageantry
In 2022, Abah expanded her reach by entering the pageantry world. She placed as the first runner- up at the Beauty of Africa International Pageant and represented Ghana at the Miss Globe World Finals, where she earned the title of Miss Globe Africa 2022.
Philanthropy
Abah founded the Palins Foundation, a non-profit organisation, aimed at empowering women and youth through initiatives in education, skills training, and personal development.
Awards and collaborations
In 2023, Abah received the Best Model of the Year award at the Time Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards. She has collaborated with leading designers such as Charlotte Prive and Ejiro Amos Tafiri, further solidifying her influence in African fashion.
Legacy
Prisca Abah is recognised not only for her contributions to the fashion industry but also for her philanthropic efforts. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Africans, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while giving back to society.
By Edem Mensah Tsortorme
Profile
Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer
In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in history as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.
His journey from a humble background to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create pathways to success.
For Juventus, the recognition as Ghana’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.
“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes surrounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.
Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his determined spirit led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.
His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of studying without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to transcribe lectures.
Juventus’ role model was his professor and mentor, Professor Luke Clement, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.
He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.
He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.
“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.
Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.
The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was often the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.
Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind classmates when necessary.
Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.
The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contributions to his journey.
Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juventus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.
Professor Atuguba noted that Juventus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.
Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOwusu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.
Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the interpreters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encountred.
Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.
He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.
