ACM marks decade of existence

Having gone through a myriad of challenges, moments to cheer about and the dying inclination to aspire for greater heights, the Accra College of Medicine (ACM) has every reason to pause and look at its journey for the past decade.

The university’s 10th anniversary symposium was held recently under the theme: ‘A decade of excellence in medical education. Celebrating a legacy, shaping the future.’

The President of (ACM), Prof. Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse, said, “God has a purpose for the establishment of the university, and this really gives me joy.”

Commenting on the reason behind the establishment of the university during a panel discussion, Prof. Afua A.J. Hesse stated that the idea was born out of a concern raised by his son who observed that, “Though there are many qualified students who can read medicine in Ghana, the existing institutions cannot accommodate all of them. So why can’t we start a medical school to cater for this growing number of students”?

Prof. Hesse said it was incredible that the university was 10 years old and advised the students to always do what was essential in their practice. She assured them that there was a future for them, provided they took their studies seriously.

She said though there were a few collections at the beginning, the university could now boast of over 25, 000 documents.
Prof. Afua A.J. Hesse underlined that at the time of her medical practice, the practitioners had no luxury of numbers. One was compelled to cater for one’s family and equally discharged her duties as a doctor.

She said ACM was committed to training students to pursue excellence and to make a difference in the lives of others with compassion, empathy, joy, love, passion, and enthusiasm.

Dr Eli Atikpui, the Director of Institutional Advancement, Standards and External Relations, who was one of the panel members, described the decision by Prof. Rev. Frederick Adukwei Hesse, a co-founder of ACM, and his wife as a bold step in establishing the university.

He said being the first private medical institution, the Medical and Dental Council had to establish a check list which comprised a detailed questionnaire for the founders of the university to respond to, and was happy they provided the required answers.

Dr Atikpui noted that though the number of Ghanaian doctors had increased, a large percentage of them were stationed in Accra while another percentage was also stationed in Kumasi.

Prof. Alfred E. Yawson, a Consultant Public Health Physician, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, another member of the panel, indicated that the couple were his lectures at the University of Ghana Medical School, and he was not surprised about the feat they had chalked over the period.

By Raymond Kyekye
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