Government to partner with private sector for stronger healthcare system – Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, says the government is committed to partnering with the private health sector to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and a modern Dental Hospital at Entrance University College of Health Sciences at their campus in Spintex, Accra, she emphasised the need for collective action to address the country’s healthcare gaps.

“The government is determined to partner with the private health sector to build a strong, inclusive, and resilient healthcare system. Our path forward must be collaborative if we are to address the doctor- and dentist-to-population gap and improve health outcomes for all Ghanaians,” she said.

She described the private sector as a vital ally in improving healthcare access and outcomes.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that Ghana continues to lag behind the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of doctors and dentists to the population, and stressed that stronger public-private partnerships in medical education and training are essential to closing the gap.

“Yet we all know how critical preventative and curative care is—not just to individuals and families, but to our national development,” she added.

Inauguration

The newly inaugurated facilities include the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Nursing, and a Dental Hospital, making Entrance University the first private tertiary institution in Ghana to simultaneously launch full-scale medical and dental training alongside clinical service delivery.

The inauguration was held at the university’s Spintex campus in Accra, under the theme "Training the Next Generation of Health Professionals", and was supported by the Chancellor and Founder of Entrance University, Nana Samuel Amo Tobbin, and the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye.

Also present at the event were the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, traditional authorities, clergy, faculty members, students, and foreign partners.

Commendation

Prof Opoku-Agyemang lauded Entrance University for becoming the first private tertiary institution in Ghana to simultaneously 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 can achieve and encouraged other private actors to emulate this example.

“This shows it can be done. Government stands ready to partner with institutions like yours to deliver world-class health education,” she affirmed.

Interventions

The Vice-President also announced key government initiatives aimed at strengthening the health sector, including the integration of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) into the University of Ghana Medical School, and the launch of the Mahama Cares Initiative, also known as the Ghana Medical Health Trust Fund.

To the students, Prof Opoku-Agyemang encouraged them to embrace professionalism with humility and compassion.

Background

The Entrance University College of Health Sciences is a private institution and a subsidiary of the Tobinco Group, with a mission to transform healthcare delivery through cutting-edge education. The dental hospital is expected to provide both essential dental services to the community and hands-on clinical training for students.

The schools are designed to equip students with scientific knowledge, practical skills, and strong ethical foundations to thrive in modern healthcare. The facility boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including phantom heads for pre-clinical dental training, fully equipped dental chairs, a modern dental hospital for clinical rotations, smart lecture halls, a well-fitted morgue for anatomy and pathology, a computer lab, simulation lab, cadaver lab, microbiology lab, and other advanced learning resources.

The school is expected to significantly expand Ghana’s capacity to train and retain highly skilled healthcare professionals locally.