The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has commended Family Health University, formerly Family Health University College, for its pioneering contributions to medical education in Ghana.
Speaking at the university’s charter ceremony, the Minister praised the Founder and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, for his visionary leadership and dedication to improving healthcare.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged that Family Health University has successfully met all regulatory requirements to earn its charter. He assured the institution of the government’s support in its mission to provide quality medical education and help address the country’s healthcare challenges.
He also announced plans to establish a National Research Fund to support research initiatives, including those undertaken by Family Health University, and encouraged the institution to expand its research efforts, particularly in tackling cervical cancer.
“The government is committed to creating an enabling environment for private enterprises to thrive, and Family Health University is a shining example of private sector investment in education,” he said.
Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume reaffirmed the university’s dedication to research and community development, emphasizing the importance of translating research into immediate action to address health challenges in Ghana. He highlighted the institution’s plans to conduct extensive research using Papadikoulos testing, commonly known as the Pap smear, to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
“If the Minister should ask me what the benefit of our charter is to the community, I will tell him we are going to embark on research and implementation. We are not going to embark on research and leave it like that. Immediate implementation. That’s what we’ll do,” he stated.
Expressing gratitude to the Minister and other dignitaries present, he stressed the importance of training medical professionals locally, ensuring that students receive education in a familiar environment while staying close to their families.
“We need to partner with the government to train students locally, medical students locally, nurses locally. They will be with their parents, they will be with their loved ones, and they will mature in an environment conducive to all of this,” he said.
He also acknowledged the dedication of the institution’s faculty, highlighting their commitment to providing students with personalized attention and support. Family Health University has fostered international collaborations with reputable institutions such as Michigan University and Virginia University. It has also invested in state-of-the-art facilities, including a mortuary equipped with an anatomized table for teaching medical students.
Prof. Kwawukume reiterated the university’s commitment to making a meaningful impact through research and innovation, emphasizing that immediate implementation will be the defining characteristic of the institution’s new status.
