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Ghanaian trained doctors are exceptional – Prof Jectey Hesse
● Prof Jectey Hesse
The President of Accra College of Medicine, Prof Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse, has described the quality of medical training in Ghana as excellent, compared with what pertained in some countries.
According to her, “medical doctors in Ghana are trained in all the disciplines in medicine, after which they do their housemanship in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. After the completion of the housemanship, a doctor chooses a post-graduate programme in a particular discipline.”
Prof Jectey Hesse said doctors in Ghana were trained to become Primary Health Care Practitioners, and this had enabled them to take care of a good range of diseases in the country.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator, she said the rigorous medical training package in the country was what had made Ghanain doctors to be in high demand outside the country because of the experience they had gained at the lower level, as compared with doctors trained in many places outside the country.
According to her, some medical students trained outside Ghana, for example, were not allowed to touch their patients during the clinical period.
She said one would realise that their training was basically theoretical.
“How can you do your clinical training for three years without touching a patient?, she asked rhetorically.
She advised parents to desist from compelling their children to read medicine and other courses against their wish or beyond their capabilities because all children were not endowed in the same way.
Prof Hesse advised students, especially those who read General Science at the Senior High School but could not gain admission to read medicine, not to lose hope but persevere in their studies, and better their grades, adding that medicine could be read after the first degree provided one was determined and remained focused.
“Get the skills and competences which will make you to become a good doctor. We have doctors who are reading law, agronomy and studying for post- graduate programmes in Information Communication Technology (ICT), developing apps to come out with innovations to aid in the field of medicine,” she advised.
Prof Jectey Hesse said a survey conducted by the Public Sector a couple of years ago had revealed that it cost at least an equivalent of $15.000.00 to train a medical student a year in Ghana.
She explained that in public institutions, the government in particular and often with the assistance from corporate bodies, took care of tuition, facilities, equipment and everything which were involved in the training of students.
Even though invariably due to the large numbers of students admitted to the public institutions, the facilities and trainers could not keep pace with the numbers.
She said, unfortunately, the private institutions had to do everything by themselves without any assistance from even corporate bodies.
She had advocated the establishment of a dedicated Children’s Hospital in the country which would be equipped with all the facilities to facilitate the full range of disciplines and treatment for children.
She indicated that three theatres which were refurbished at the Paediatric Block of the Korle-Teaching Hospital were over stretched because of the increasing number of patients these days.
By Raymond Kyekye
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
