In a significant step toward expanding postgraduate medical training to underserved regions, the Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), Professor Richard M.K. Adanu, paid an official working visit to the Upper West Regional Hospital on July 15, 2025, signaling the College’s commitment to decentralize specialist medical training across the country.
The visit forms part of a broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at accrediting new training centers for both Membership and Fellowship programs of the College.
During his interaction with hospital management and other key players in the region, Prof. Adanu disclosed that the Upper West Regional Hospital had been earmarked by the College as a potential training site, particularly in response to the uneven distribution of doctors and specialists in Ghana.
“The strategic placement of a training site here in Wa will not only address the inequities in the distribution of specialist care, but also attract more doctors to the region.
”Once due processes are followed and the hospital remains proactive, we are hopeful that training in Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology will commence by January 2026, with plans to expand into Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and Internal Medicine in due course,” the Rector stated.
Prof. Adanu’s delegation toured key clinical units of the hospital and engaged with specialist, medical officers, and house officers to assess the readiness of the facility.
He expressed satisfaction with both the human resource base and logistical preparedness of the hospital, describing the institution as promising for residency training.
Welcoming the delegation, the Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital Dr. Philip K.K. Baabineh, described the initiative as a timely and transformative intervention.
He recounted instances where doctors from the region were compelled to defer their postgraduate training due to relocation difficulties and long travel distances.
“We’re not only ready, but we are also willing to invest in this programme. With the presence of fellows, members of the College, and visiting consultants already supporting our services, the hospital is well-positioned to begin postgraduate training. We are also seeing rising interest from potential students within the region,” Dr. Baabineh affirmed.
The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat Ana-Imwine Nyuzaghi, reiterated the region’s readiness to support the process.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Abdulai Abukari, who now serves as Director of Special Duties at Gana Health Service headquarters, assured the College of institutional support from the Service to ensure the successful roll-out of the training programme.
“We are excited about this opportunity. It aligns perfectly with our broader goal of improving access to quality healthcare in all corners of the country. The onus now lies on the facility’s management to show the needed commitment and proactivity and the Ghana Health Service will give its full backing,” Dr. Abdulai stated.
The visit culminated in a special session where Prof. Adanu engaged with the hospital’s medical staff, listened to their concerns, and shared insights about the vision and mission of the College. He also encouraged young doctors in the region to take advantage of the forthcoming opportunity to pursue specialist training closer to home.
#Established in 2003, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons is a statutory institution mandated to provide postgraduate medical education and training in medicine, surgery, and related disciplines. The College has played a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of specialist care delivery in Ghana.
