Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a Committee to oversee the transfer of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) from the Ministry of Health to the University of Ghana. This move is in line with the President's campaign promise during the 2024 general election.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Transitional Management Committee is co-chaired by Professor Aaron Lawson, a former provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, and Professor Mutawakilu Iddrisu, a neurological specialist from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The funding for UGMC's construction was initially secured during the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills' tenure, with phase one completed in President Mahama's first term and phase two under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
President Mahama emphasized that integrating UGMC into the University of Ghana is a strategic alignment to enhance institutional efficiency through harmonized leadership and resource management. He highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to create a world-class teaching hospital serving both Ghana and the West African subregion.
The Committee has been tasked with eight responsibilities, including reviewing legal mandates, developing integration guidelines, designing a roadmap for the transition, facilitating legal processes, identifying challenges, establishing a transition secretariat, reviewing international partnership interests, and submitting a comprehensive report within three months.
President Mahama urged the Committee to recognize the historic significance of their work, envisioning UGMC as a hub for medical innovation, ethical practice, and health outcomes. Professor Aaron Lawson expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them, assuring the President of their commitment to the task.
Madam Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew, Chairperson of the University of Ghana Council, stated the transition would fully integrate UGMC into the University's framework for training health professionals and shaping national health policy. Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, thanked President Mahama for fulfilling his campaign promise, committing to handle the responsibility with seriousness.
