Dr Gideon Assan: Ghana’s youngest family physician specialist
From quiet beginnings in a small Ashanti town to the frontlines of modern medical practice, Dr Gideon Kwame Assan’s journey is a testament to discipline, purpose and consistent hard work.
In a profession where experience is often measured in decades, he has distinguished himself early, earning national and regional recognition before the age of 35.
On December 10, 2025, Dr Assan was inducted as a family physician specialist by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, emerging as the youngest specialist in the 2025 cohort at just 33 years.
Two months earlier, in October, he had also been inducted into the West Africa College of Physicians, marking a steady and deliberate rise in a career shaped by service, sacrifice and vision.
Born to Mr Francis Kwaku Assan and Mrs Gloria Assan (of blessed memory), who were both teachers, Dr Assan was raised at Akrokerri, near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
His parents’ profession and principles instilled in him discipline, curiosity and a respect for learning that would later define his path.
Sharing his journey with The Mirror last Tuesday, he said he began his formal education at Holy Child Preparatory School at Obuasi, where his academic promise earned him admission to Mfantsipim School.
As a science student, Gideon stood out in a competitive environment and was selected for the school’s National Science and Maths Quiz team, a distinction reserved for only the most outstanding students—though fate denied the team a chance to compete nationally that year.
Petrochemical engineering
He said his initial ambition was to become a petrochemical engineer, and that led him to enrol at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He explained that along the way, he felt a deep, growing inner conviction to switch to medicine.
Guided by this conviction in 2013 and encouraged by his mother, Gideon switched to Medicine at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
That decision, he explained, proved pivotal not only in shaping his career but also in positioning him to impact lives far beyond the lecture halls and hospital wards.
Medicine with meaning
Since qualifying as a medical doctor in 2019, Dr Assan has worked largely in peri-urban communities, where healthcare gaps are most visible and resources are often stretched.
These experiences deepened his interest in hypertensive, infectious and chronic diseases, key public health challenges in Ghana, and reinforced his commitment to strong primary healthcare delivery.
But his work has not been limited to consulting rooms and clinics.
Innovating health education
In 2021, driven by the need to address health misinformation, especially among young people, Dr Assan said he founded Health Quarters Ghana, a digital health initiative that uses social media, storytelling and comic skits to demystify medical myths and promote preventive care.
His passion for digital health soon gained international attention and was selected as one of only 13 global participants for the maiden Humans for Digital Health Campaign, organised by Young Experts: Tech4Health and funded by the Fondation Botnar.
His award-winning documentary, he explained, highlighted gaps in the country’s use of digital technology to enhance youth inclusion and improve patient data management.
More recently, he expanded the platform with a podcast, engaging public figures and individuals with lived health experiences to discuss medical realities in a relatable, accessible manner.
Leadership beyond the stethoscope
Dr Assan’s leadership credentials have grown alongside his clinical work. He has served as the acting Medical Director of 3M&C Medical Centre at East Legon, Accra, and is currently the Medical Lead for the Ghana-German Specialist Hospital at Amasaman, and sits on the Board of Liberty Medical Health Insurance Limited.
His leadership journey began early. As a student, he served as President of the University Medical Students’ Association (UCC Chapter) and Vice President of the Ghana Federation of Medical Students’ Associations, roles that sharpened his advocacy and administrative skills.
Committed to lifelong learning, he has undertaken many continuous professional development programmes, including Point-of-Care Ultrasound training organised by Worldwide
Radiology in collaboration with the University of Salford, UK, and participated in a recent medical care exhibition in Germany.
He remains an active member of multiple professional health bodies, contributing to national conversations on healthcare improvement.
A future grounded in service
Dr Assan said his journey, " is not simply about being the youngest; it is about being prepared, being purposeful, and being present where impact is most needed".
"As I step into this new chapter as a family physician specialist, I stand as a compelling example of the promise within Ghana’s youth and of what can be achieved through steady work, humility and vision," he said.
