The Founder and Chancellor of Entrance University College of Health Sciences (EUCHS), Nana Samuel Amo Tobbin, has appealed to the government to extend investments to private universities and offer more scholarships to make high-quality healthcare education accessible to more Ghanaians.
He said sustainable funding and scholarship programmes would enable brilliant, needy students to access medical education right here in the country.
At the inauguration of the university’s newly established Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and a dental hospital, the Tobinco Pharmacy owner said, "Training our students here at home will ensure that the funds remain within the country and contribute to supporting our local communities".
Inauguration
The ceremony to inaugurate the schools and hospital on the Spintex Road in Accra was held on the theme: "Training the next generation of health Professionals".
Launched by the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and dedicated by the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the event also saw attendance from the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, religious leaders, students, faculty and foreign partners from across the sub-region.
Barriers abroad
The Chancellor of EUCHS said many Ghanaian students who pursued medical and dental education abroad often faced cultural and language barriers that hindered their ability to pass licensure examinations upon their return.
“These barriers are not the fault of the students but a consequence of their exposure to different educational environments. By training our students here at home, we ensure that the funds remain within the country and contribute to supporting our local communities," he said.
As a solution, Mr Tobbin reaffirmed his commitment to establish a comprehensive science-based programme that would prepare and equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the global marketplace, while grounding them in Ghana’s unique health system and licensure standards.
"This initiative is being implemented within an institution that meets internationally recognised standards of scientific education. Our goal is to provide an internationally recognised education right here in Ghana," he added.
The EUCHS Chancellor described the new schools and hospital as a critical step towards equipping Ghanaian students with world-class scientific education and practical skills, while addressing the national shortage of healthcare professionals.
Partnership
The Vice-President, for her part, said the government was committed to collaborating and partnering the private health sector to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the country.
Commendation
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang lauded Entrance University for becoming the first private tertiary institution in Ghana to establish a medical and dental school.
“This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the rigorous standards required to set up such institutions,” she said.
She commended the Chancellor, Samuel Amo Tobbin, the faculty, and staff for their dedication to excellence, urging them to continue striving for quality education and service.
“With the establishment of this dental school and hospital, there should be a mutually beneficial relationship between the students and the community.
This facility must not only provide world-class dental training but also offer specialised care to the people of Spintex and beyond,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang cited Entrance University as a model for what private institutions could achieve and encouraged other private actors to emulate the example.
