Tribute to Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful. He was a progressive leader
The Ghana Medical Association is devastated by the sad news of the passing of Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, a distinguished Past President and Fellow of the Association.
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He dedicated a significant portion of his medical career and life to the service of humanity, the Ghana Medical Association and the Nation as a whole.
Dr Adom Winful, was an active member of the association long before he was elected the President in November 2008. He served on the National Executive Council of the Association in his capacity as the Chairman of the Eastern Division from 2002-2008
. During this period of service on Council he demonstrated to all his bravery, eloquence and frankness in deliberations. As a result, it did not come as a surprise when he was elected as the 20th President of the Ghana Medical Association in 2008.
Achievements
On this sad occasion therefore, we recall with pride the many achievements he chalked during and even after his tenure of office as the President of the Association. He successfully negotiated the GMA Fidelity Car Loan agreement. Several doctors took advantage of this agreement and were able to buy brand new cars for the first time in their lives.
It was during his tenure of office that the GMA ventured into commercial product endorsement. This led to the GMA forging a partnership with PZ Cussons Ltd. resulting in the endorsement of Camel Antiseptic Products. This incidentally happens to be the only endorsement that the GMA has entered into till date. This partnership has brought massive financial support to the GMA.
Among others, it was during his leadership that, the GMA Focus Magazine, a social magazine of the Association was born. Dr Adom Winful led the GMA to successfully negotiate with the government an On-Call-Duty-Facilitation Allowance. This allowance is enjoyed by doctors till date.
For a very long time for a variety of reasons, many GMA Presidents served only one term of two years. Dr Adom Winful broke that tradition by serving two terms. He was described by many as the “Junior Doctors’ President”. This title he earned because he totally realigned forces with the Junior Doctors such that even controversial issues raised by them were never neglected but wholly embraced by the mother Association. He was a leader and a mentor at the same time to the Junior Doctors.
He was always progressive, he took suggestions and criticisms alike and was always ready to go the extra mile to forge consensus.
As the Immediate Past President of the Association from 2011-2015, he continued to seek the welfare of the Association and its members. He was a member of the negotiating team that successfully negotiated with Government the first Conditions of Service Document for Public Sector doctors in October 2015. Before his demise he was negotiating a car loan agreement with Societe General for doctors.
His personality
Dr Adom Winful had a likeable personality and was a sociable person. Outside meetings he was always happy to share drinks and thoughts with all and sundry. During such social events, he will share stories of his early professional life including why he relocated from Accra to Mampong, how he built his house and his sheer love for Mampong and the decision to remain there forever. He was quick to point to everyone his love for fast cars especially Mercedes Benz. Indeed in as much as he owned the very latest model, he was still spending time putting together an old model with the sole aim of displaying such archeological masterpiece in his home at Mampong.
His contributions to the Association were outstanding and exemplary. His sacrifices and the personal price paid in service of the Association and the Nation was very high. For such sterling contributions to the Medical Profession, the Medical Association and to the citizenry of Ghana, the Ghana Medical Association conferred its highest honour of “Fellow” to Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, Past President of the Association at the 57th Annual General Conference of the Association in November 2015.
It was therefore a shock to the general membership of the Association when he passed on December 31, 2015.
The Medical fraternity and the Ghana Medical Association has indeed lost a giant in the profession and the Association.
We can only say it is well and continue to give thanks to the creator for a life well lived.
Our condolences to Dr Sophia Winful, and the entire family of Dr Emmanuel Kofi Adom Winful.
May His Soul Rest in Perfect Peace.