Professor Jonathan Quartey: Trailblazer in Sports Physiotherapy

Professor Jonathan Quartey’s dedication to sports physiotherapy has earned him a trusted reputation among top athletes, national teams, and international sports organisations.

He is known for making history as Ghana's first sports physiotherapist and the first Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at the University of Ghana. His contributions have shaped the field in Ghana and impacted practices across Africa. As vice-president and later president of the African Region for World Physiotherapy (2010–2020), he helped improve physiotherapy standards across the continent.

Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiotherapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra.

In an interview with The Mirror in Accra last week, he recalled a proud moment involving a footballer who suffered a severe shoulder injury requiring surgery abroad.

“The injury left his shoulder with two screws, casting doubt on his future in the sport. But through a personalised rehabilitation plan, the player made a full recovery and returned to the field stronger than ever. It was a lot of hard work, but seeing him back in action was worth every effort,” Prof. Quartey recounted.

Working with football stars has refined Prof. Quartey’s approach, emphasising the importance of building trust and rapport with athletes.

Despite numerous opportunities to work abroad, he chose to remain in Ghana, driven by patriotism and a commitment to mentoring future physiotherapists. “It was not an easy decision,” he admitted, but his love for his country and profession has kept him grounded.

Coming from humble beginnings, Prof. Quartey’s journey is marked by dedication, faith and a mission to inspire and elevate healthcare and sports medicine standards in Ghana.

Carving a path in physiotherapy
When asked what led him to pursue physiotherapy, he said it was by chance. “Although I studied science, health wasn’t a priority. After struggling with my Advanced Level and finances, my late mother encouraged me to explore medical laboratory technology, which I reluctantly did. It turned out to be the stepping stone to who I am today,” he said.

Prof. Quartey first encountered physiotherapy when he responded to the Ministry of Health’s call to address Ghana’s shortage of physiotherapists. With fewer than 25 professionals in the field in the late 1990s, the ministry sought to quickly train specialists. Competing with over 700 applicants, he secured a spot to study physiotherapy abroad.

“After three years of intensive training in the Netherlands, I returned to Ghana in 2003 and joined the Physiotherapy Department at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” he recalled.

When the University of Ghana wanted to start training physiotherapists in Ghana, he was part of the first six people identified while in school in the Netherlands by the then School of Allied Health Sciences (now School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences) and was the first to join the university from among those identified. 

To be able to teach at the university level, he needed more than a first degree and that led him to pursue a Master of Science (MSc) in Physiotherapy, where he specialised in sports and orthopaedics courtesy of the huge effort of Prof. Edwin Kwame Wiredu, the Dean of the School at the time.

Shortly after the completion of his MSc in Physiotherapy, he enrolled in another master’s programme in Health Professions Education, a programme which taught him how to teach in health education.

“Being an expert in a field doesn’t make you an automatic teacher. That programme expanded my understanding of curriculum development, teaching and learning,” he explained. 

Ten years later, he was appointed the first head of the Health Professions Education Unit by the College of Health Sciences.

His entry into national team work, like his entry into academia, required perseverance. After four years of working to introduce himself to the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Football Association, he was eventually appointed a physiotherapist for junior national football teams. In 2020, he was assigned to the Black Stars and in February this year, reassigned to the Black Galaxies. He has also supported Team Ghana at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021).

Balancing work, family and passion
Prof. Quartey admitted that juggling his work, academic responsibilities and family life has been challenging. Recalling times when he had to be away for extended periods during international tournaments, he said, “My longest absence was six weeks for a training tour and tournament”.

He credited his wife, Marian, for her support, enabling him to excel in his career while remaining close to his family.

Mentoring the next generation
Prof. Quartey has always been passionate about teaching and mentoring. 

“I have worked with numerous students, some of whom have gone on to work in high-profile organisations such as Tottenham Hotspur in the United Kingdom and other academic institutions.

One student, in particular, followed my guidance and specialised in sports physiotherapy though he did not return to Ghana,” he said.
He expressed pride in students who say his work inspired them to follow in his footsteps.

Challenges of the field
Despite his successes, Prof. Quartey has faced challenges, such as limited access to adequate supplies and resources. “In the early years of my career, I had to rely on creativity and resourcefulness to treat injuries without ideal tools,” he said.

Another challenge was the lack of recognition for sports physiotherapy in Ghana. “When I started, many people were unfamiliar with the role of a sports physiotherapist, which meant I had to spend time educating others,” he added.

Looking ahead
For the future, Prof. Quartey is exploring collaborations with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, to integrate physiotherapy into broader healthcare fields.

“Hospital engineering, including equipment calibration and maintenance, is essential to physiotherapy. This venture could redefine healthcare education in Ghana,” he explained. His goal is to keep physiotherapy relevant and integrated into the medical sciences, opening opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Hobbies
Outside his career, Prof. Quartey enjoys exercise and music. “I love gospel music and draw inspiration from artistes like Diana Hamilton, Nacee, MOG and the late KODA. Their lyrics provide me with comfort and motivation,” he said.

Writer's email: efiaamoakoa2@gmail.com