The College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of Ghana has launched a six month-long celebration to mark 25 years of excellence in health education, research, and service delivery. The anniversary celebration reaffirms the College’s dedication to transforming lives and advancing the country’s healthcare system.
Established in 2000, 14 years before the University of Ghana formally adopted the collegiate system in 2014—CHS stands as the university’s oldest and leading college.
The celebration is themed, “UG College of Health Sciences @25: Transforming Lives through Excellence in Education, Research, and Healthcare.” As part of the launch, a symposium was held on the topic, “Reclaiming the Narrative on Black Personality: Emphasizing the Humanness of the Black Person with Woolly Hair,” delivered by Prof. Fredrick Kwaku Addai and Prof. Samuel Ntewusu.
The event, held on May 14 at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre, featured remarks from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo. She commended CHS for its leadership in the health sector and its contribution to national development.
Prof. Amfo praised the College’s growth into a vibrant academic ecosystem, comprising six schools, one institute, and two research centers located across the Legon and Korle Bu campuses.
She noted the significant impact of the University of Ghana Medical School in producing renowned physicians and surgeons, and acknowledged the contributions of other CHS institutions such as the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the School of Public Health, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in shaping health policy and driving research.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted CHS’s role in digital innovation, especially through its involvement in the university’s “One Student, One Laptop” initiative and its nationwide medical outreach programs.
“Indeed, I must say that the College of Health Sciences has significantly contributed to our digitalization agenda—through the enhancement of learning spaces and active support for the ‘One Student, One Laptop’ initiative. Beyond that, the staff and students of the College have also delivered exceptional healthcare services and played a pivotal role in organizing and executing the 75th Anniversary Medical Outreach.”
Provost of the College, Prof. Alfred Yawson, reflected on CHS’s legacy, describing it as a “complex blend of institutions” united by a shared mission to improve health outcomes through education and service.
He emphasized that CHS’s early formation provided valuable insights that shaped the eventual implementation of the collegiate system at the University of Ghana.
Guest speaker Mrs. Abena Osei-Poku, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, encouraged stakeholders to reimagine Ghana’s health system through collaboration, improved equity, and stronger research infrastructure.
“Your policy work has gone beyond paper—it has saved lives,” she said. “Behind these accomplishments are visionaries, educators, and researchers who have devoted themselves to building this institution. Will the day come when top executives trust our health system enough to stop flying abroad for care?”
She urged students to see themselves as future leaders in health and called on faculty to continue developing solutions that position Ghana as a leader in healthcare innovation.
The 25th-anniversary celebration will run from May to November and includes various activities. These include a medical screening event scheduled for June 24 in Madina and an exhibition of academic and research work by all CHS units on June 25 at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
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Story by: Wahab Abdul Razak | univers.ug.edu.gh
