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Medical students urged to be innovative in their careers
Ghanaian medical students have been urged to be innovative and not solely concentrate on what they can derive from the system.
Dr Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur, a Senior Clinical lecturer and Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon at the University of Ghana Medical School, who was addressing the Ninth Matriculation ceremony of the Accra College of Medicine (ACM), asked the matriculants to remain focused throughout their training.
He encouraged them to work hard on the added value they would bring on board, remain unique throughout their profession so that people they encounter would identify the extra value they have ,and how they would enhance the set of skills at their disposal.
He said though knowledge and skills were the essential values, patients and colleagues would require of them, the ability to listen, comfort, explain conditions, and to console others were as important as making the right diagnosis or operating on a patient safely and effectively.
“Treating patients while shouting at them and not looking them in the face is very different from explaining conditions and problems to them, and providing them with enough contact time,” he explained.
He said the extra value they would add as professionals could be simple or complex, be life-changing or just a way to keep a smile on the face of an old sick person.
“Be assured that you will find more and greater rewards in all you do because the extra value you bring to the table will be noticed and rewarded by all those you encounter,” he said.
The President of ACM, Prof Afua A Jectey Hesse, described it as a great joy to hear about the splendid performance of doctors trained by ACM. She said testimonies abound in the hospitals where their trained doctors worked.
She said by the quality of training received in the country, Ghanaian doctors were in high demand throughout the world.
She, therefore, called on students to work hard and remain focused in their studies, adding that ACM was poised to train more doctors for the country, the sub-region and beyond.
Twenty-seven students who were enrolled this year, were from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Canada.
A matriculant, Ms Nana Abena Ohemeng, in her speech, asked her colleagues to remember that they were enrolled to study to enable them to make positive impact in the world.
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also love for humanity,” she said.
By Raymond Kyekye
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
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Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
