Ghana’s health workers have been called upon to remain in the country and contribute to its development, rather than seeking greener pastures abroad. This appeal was made by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, at the graduation ceremony of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, Volta Region, on Saturday. The minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the health sector, such as inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and personnel, but assured the graduates that the government was working hard to address them. He said the government had invested heavily in expanding and upgrading health facilities across the country, as well as recruiting and training more health professionals. He also said the government had introduced several incentives and policies to motivate and retain health workers, such as the restoration of the nursing and midwifery trainee allowances, the payment of the outstanding arrears of the health sector workers, and the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He urged the graduates to be patriotic and loyal to the nation, and to serve with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. He said they had a duty to use their skills and knowledge to improve the health and well-being of the people, especially those in the rural and deprived areas. He also advised them to keep abreast of the latest developments and innovations in the health field, and to pursue continuous learning and improvement. He said the government would support them in their career development and progression, and urged them to take advantage of the opportunities available. The minister congratulated the graduates for their hard work and achievement, and commended the management and staff of UHAS for their dedication and excellence. He said UHAS had become one of the leading institutions in the country, and had produced high-quality graduates who were making a positive impact in the health sector. He said the government would continue to support UHAS in its vision to become a world-class center of excellence in health education, research, and service. He said the government had allocated funds for the completion of some ongoing projects at the campus, such as the administration block, the library, and the auditorium. He also announced that the government had approved the establishment of a new School of Pharmacy at UHAS, which would commence in the next academic year. He said this would help to address the shortage of pharmacists in the country, and to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical services. The graduation ceremony saw the award of degrees and diplomas to 868 graduates from various disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, midwifery, public health, allied health sciences, and basic and biomedical sciences. The graduates included 36 foreign students from Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. The Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Prof. John Gyapong, said the university had made significant strides in its academic, research, and service activities, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the university had adopted various measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff, and to facilitate online teaching and learning. He said the university had also contributed to the national response to the pandemic, by providing testing, training, and advisory services. He said the university had also conducted several research projects on various aspects of the pandemic, and had published its findings in reputable journals. He said the university had also strengthened its collaboration and partnership with various local and international institutions, such as the Ghana Health Service, the World Health Organization, the African Development Bank, and the University of Oxford. He said these partnerships had enhanced the capacity and visibility of the university, and had created more opportunities for its students and staff. He urged the graduates to be ambassadors of the university, and to uphold its core values of excellence, innovation, integrity, and service. He said they should also be agents of change, and to use their talents and skills to make a difference in the society. He expressed his gratitude to the government, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the National Council for Tertiary Education, the National Accreditation Board, and other stakeholders for their support and guidance. He also thanked the parents, guardians, sponsors, and benefactors of the graduates for their sacrifices and contributions. He wished the graduates success and happiness in their future endeavors, and hoped that they would stay in touch with the university.
Source: Graphic Online
