By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Founder and President of Family Health University College (FHUC), Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume has charged health workers across the country to be mindful of their professional ethics wherever they find themselves.
He said, “No matter where you find yourself, be willing to serve. Remember as health workers you have sworn an oath to preserve and save human lives and that should be your watching guide”.
Prof. Yao Kwawukume said this when addressing graduating students at the 2023 Congregation ceremony of the Family Health Medical School and Family Health Nursing & Midwifery School, held at the forecourt of the Family Health University College in Accra.
Addressing the graduates, Prof. Yao Kwawukume encouraged them to never shun serving in rural and deprived areas.
“Graduands be willing to go and serve at anywhere you are posted to. Work with other people to create innovative and lasting solutions that will serve future generations and never be tired to try again even if at first you do not succeed.” He said,
Prof. Kwawukume further entreated the graduating students to remember the support and guidance of their professors, lecturers, and mentors, and also to be good ambassadors of Family Health University College.
“As you leave the corners of this university, take the lessons you’ve learned here — not just the academic ones but also the values of leadership, integrity, compassion, and social responsibility, and apply them to make the world a better place.
Remain resolute in the pursuit of your dreams and never see this graduation as an end in itself but rather as a means to climb higher on the ladder of excellence”. Prof. Enyonam Kwawukume reiterated.
He further expressed his profound gratitude to partners and sponsors from the University of Michigan, who joined FHUC in honouring the graduating class of 2023.
The Founder and President of FHUC, again thanked the Chief Mentor of FHUC, Prof. Timothy R. B. Johnson, and his team for their continued support to the Family Health University College and also for providing funding for some students of the FHUC to research health-related issues, through the Schweitzer-Michi-Ghana Research Project.
The Special Guest of Honour for the ceremony, Prof. Timothy Johnson on his part, commended Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume and Dr. Susu Bridget Kwawukume for their foresight in providing medical education to students at Family Health University College.
He disclosed that Prof. Enyonam Yao Kwawukume has the potential to advance medical education across the sub-region.
Prof. Timothy Johnson also urged the graduates to adhere to the tenets of their profession and to demonstrate the oath of caregivers.
“You have professional, ethical, and moral responsibilities as health workers, so from today onwards, your patients will become your priority”, Prof. Johnson stressed.
Fifty-four (54) students were awarded Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degrees, making them the third set of doctors to graduate from Family Health Medical School.
This brings the number of doctors produced by the college to one hundred and thirty-eight (138) since the inception of the college in 2014.
Also, Forty-five (45) students were conferred with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Nursing, while seventy-eight (78) were conferred with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Midwifery.
Additionally, fifty (50) students were awarded the Nursing Assistant Clinical Certificate.
Among the dignitaries who graced the ceremony were; Brig. Gen. Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong (Rtd), Council Chairman (FHUC), Dr. C. E. Fleischer-Djoleto, FHUC Council member, the Dean of FHMS, Mrs. Rita Kaine, the Registrar FHUC, and Dr. Patience Aniteye, Ag. Dean FHNMS, the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Mr. Benjamin Ayiku, Gbetsoolor Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, Paramount Chief of Teshie, Professor Richard Adanu, Rector, Ghana College for Physicians & Surgeons, Justice Isaac Douse, Council Chairman, Wisconsin University, Representatives from University of Ghana, University for Development Studies, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and other stakeholders in the health and education sectors.