In a major move to decentralize postgraduate medical education and improve access to specialist care across Ghana, 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 Tuesday.
The visit marks a significant step in the college’s broader strategy to accredit new training centers across underserved regions. It also reinforces GCPS’s commitment to address the persistent imbalance in the distribution of doctors and medical specialists in the country.
During his interaction with hospital leadership and regional health officials, Prof. Adanu revealed that the Upper West Regional Hospital has been identified as a potential training site for the College’s Membership and Fellowship programmes.
“The strategic placement of a training site here in Wa will not only address inequities in the availability of specialist care but also serve as a strong incentive to attract more doctors to this region,” Prof. Adanu said.
“Provided the hospital maintains its current momentum, we hope to commence training in Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology by January 2026, with further plans to expand into Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and Internal Medicine.”
The Rector’s delegation toured various departments of the hospital and held discussions with specialists, medical officers, and house officers to evaluate the facility’s readiness. He expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s human resource strength and infrastructural preparedness, describing it as a promising site for residency training.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Philip K.K. Baabineh, Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital, described the initiative as both timely and transformative. He noted that doctors in the region often face challenges in pursuing postgraduate studies due to relocation constraints.
“We’re not only ready; we’re fully invested. With fellows, college members, and visiting consultants already contributing to our services, we are well-positioned to commence training. Interest among potential trainees is growing, especially within the region,” Dr. Baabineh stated.
Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Josephat Ana-Imwine Nyuzaghi reaffirmed the region’s support for the initiative. Speaking on behalf of Dr. Abdulai Abukari, Director of Special Duties at the Ghana Health Service, he assured the college of institutional backing to ensure a successful rollout.
“This aligns perfectly with our mandate to bring quality healthcare closer to all communities,” Dr. Abdulai said in his message.
“The Ghana Health Service will provide the necessary support, but we also expect strong commitment from hospital leadership.”
The visit concluded with a special session where Prof. Adanu engaged directly with the hospital’s medical staff, listened to their concerns, and outlined the college’s vision. He encouraged young doctors in the region to seize the opportunity to pursue specialist training closer to home.
Established in 2003, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons is mandated to provide postgraduate medical education in medicine, surgery, and related disciplines. It has played a key role in enhancing specialist healthcare delivery across Ghana.
