School of Medical Sciences, KNUST Celebrate its 50th Anniversary to Mark its Impacts and Achievements in Healthcare Delivery 

School of Medical Sciences, KNUST Celebrate its 50th Anniversary to Mark its Impacts and Achievements in Healthcare Delivery

The School of Medical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has celebrated the 50 years of its impact and achievements since it establishment.

The school which was founded in the 1975 with training of 22 students have now trained 4,000 doctors and medical scientists making a great significant in the healthcare sector within its 50 years in existence.

The theme for the 50th anniversary celebration “A Glance at the past, a Glimpse into the future” showcase the school’s pioneering role in community-oriented and problem-based medical education continues to influence national health policy and practice since the school stands as one of the pillars of KNUST contribution to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu during his address announced the government’s commitment of Gh46 million for the completion of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) under the Reset Agenda.

He commended the school’s effort in training students from 22 to 4,000 students since 1975-2025 to save lives, guarantee lives and continue to save lives.

Hon Haruna Iddrisu stressed that the President Mahama-led administration would support the school to train more medical students under their reset agenda, which has led to a request to the Ministry of Education through the Getfund to additionally commit $38 million for equipping the teaching hospital as part of the 2025/2026 Getfund formula.

The Minister of Education emphasised the government’s assurance of constructing two multipurpose lecture theatres for the School of Medical Sciences (SMS), KNUST, at $10 million since the President John Mahama administration is committed to funding access to higher and expanding medical education as part of the 2027 Getfund formula.

“I have asked the Fair Wages and Salary Commission to evaluate and close the disparity and salary gaps between doctors in the Ghana Health Service and doctors at the Ministry of Education in a manner that is fair and respectful,” he stated. Assuring the government’s efforts and support for the school.

The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, explained that the school has remained steadfast in contributing its quota in attaining the university’s mission of advancing knowledge in science and technology for sustainable development, while making an indelible impact on healthcare delivery in Ghana and across the world for fifty years.

She added that, regardless of the challenges, the school’s legacy of training almost 4,000 doctors and medical scientists is a testament to its resilience and excellence. Urging the government to continuously support the school as they have been doing.

The Mawerehene of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Baffour Dr Osei Hyeaman Brentuo VI, called on the government to consider the enrolment of students into the medical school, as the number is still very worrying, since SMS, KNUST, is now recognised as an international medical school, which most people would want to be enrolled in.

He also urged the government to use innovative ways to get people on board and bring diverse ideas that would help improve medical education for generations to come.

 

Story by Gifty Badu Boakye