The re-elected Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Chapter of the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), Mr. Daniel Arthur Egyir, has expressed the commitment of his administration to concentrate on promoting the welfare of members of the union. Mr. Egyir gave the assurance  at the Swearing-in and Hand Over Ceremony for the newly elected FUSSAG executives at  Auditorium 900, College of Education Lecture Theatre Complex. Highlighting some of his achievements during his past tenure as chairman of FUSSAG, Mr. Egyir pointed out that his administration initiated several welfare packages to help members of the Union, adding that “notable among them is the free medical scheme”.  He explained that senior staff could now access free medical care and present the prescription for drugs without paying any fee. He indicated that FUSSAG and the Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (TEWU) would soon introduce a package in the form of subsidy to cushion both senior and junior staff in the payment of their children’s school fees. The Chairman of FUSSAG  called for the support of members of the union to assist him and his executives, to effectively execute the mandate they had willingly assigned him. He said the era where union leaders adopted confrontational approach to address grievances was no more and therefore, they would always engage management and the government to negotiate and re-negotiate for improved conditions of service.  He also encouraged members to upgrade themselves, adding that “I’m happy to note that most of the senior staff are pursuing various higher degree and professional programmes.” The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, who was the guest speaker for the ceremony, commended FUSSAG for creating a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research in the University. He noted that the University’s inability to recruit additional staff had implication on the workload of all categories of staff.  “We are aware of the situation on the ground and management appreciates your commitment to duty.” he said. Prof. Oduro advised the executives to resort to the right channel of communication when dealing with management and their members on issues that affect their welfare and that of the University. He called for mutual respect for all members of the union, especially the executives, stressing that “together you can make the best out of every situation and give out your ultimate responsibility in whatever capacity you find yourself”. The Director, Directorate of Human Resources, Dr. Kwaku Gyasi Badu, who chaired the ceremony, said FUSSAG represents the middle manpower of the University. He said management and the various unions on campus must work together to promote the vision and mission of the University. He advised the newly elected leaders to exhibit a high sense of professionalism, selflessness and commitment to duty and also encourage their members to be hardworking. Dr. Gyasi Badu later administered the oath of office on the newly-elected leaders of FUSSAG.  Prof. Oduro also swore the elected representatives of the various constituents in the University into office, while Mr. Emmanuel Aidoo, who is a former secretary of FUSSAG and currently Junior Assistant Registrar at the Directorate of Academic Affairs, inducted the members of the Women’s Committee into office. Representatives of other unions that were present at the ceremony also gave solidarity messages. The unions were FUSSAG, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Polytechnic Staff Association-National (POSA) and TEWU, UCC.  

The University of Cape Coast has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Health to mentor all Specialised Nursing Training Schools in the country.

Hitherto, the specialised training schools awarded Advanced Diploma certificates to the Ministry of Health Nurses who specialised in specific fields in the nursing profession. With the current arrangement, UCC will now award bachelor degree certificates to students of these specialised training schools.

As part of preparations to award degrees to these training institutions, a team of assessors from UCC has embarked on an institutional visit to each of the training schools to assist them to put the necessary structures in place.

The institutions visited were, Ear, Nose and Throat Nursing School, Kumasi, School of Anaesthesia, Kumasi, Ophthalmic Nursing School, Public Health Nurses’ School and School of Peri-Operative and Critical Care Nursing, all located at Korle Bu in Accra.

Addressing the various principals and management of these institutions at separate meetings, the leader of the UCC Team of Assessors, Mr. Clement Entsuah-Mensah expressed the commitment of the University to mentor the specialised institutions to ensure that they produce high calibre manpower for the health sector of the country and beyond. He noted that UCC would work together with each of the Training Schools to meet the standards set by the National Accreditation Board, National Council for Tertiary Education and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Mr. Entsuah-Mensah who is also the Librarian of UCC stressed that “UCC stands for quality and therefore we expect that this reflects in all aspects of the training of specialised nurses in each of the institutions”. He further indicated that the University would continue to work with them adding that “We look forward to a time when each of the specialised Training Schools will mature and award its degrees”.

The Head of the Institutional Affiliation Office, Mr. Justice Agyenim Boateng indicated that as a prerequisite for the award of degree by the University and the other regulatory bodies, there was the need for them to put together an approved curriculum, setting up state-of-the-art laboratories, good and disability friendly infrastructure with decent lecture rooms or halls, offices for lecturers and accommodation for students.

The team of assessors later inspected facilities of the various Trainings Schools and offered them the needed advice. The assessors included Mr. Alexander Afrifa Darteh, Mrs. Christiana Okantey, Mrs. Patience Doe, and Mrs. Nancy Ebu Enyan.

Other members of the team were Mr. Peter Fosu Thompson and Mr. Alex Allotey.

Fifty-six (56) graduates of the School of Medical Sciences of the College of Health and Allied Sciences of the University of Cape Coast have been inducted as full-fledged medical doctors by the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Eli Kwasi Atikpui.

 This took place during the 49th Congregation and 4th Oath Swearing and Induction Ceremony of the School of Medical Sciences.

Twenty-four  (24) awards were shared by 9 graduating students with Lyanne Dede Scackey and Gideon Gawu Mensah picking five awards each. Gideon Gawu Mensah was also adjudged the best overall performing student of the class of 2016.

UCCSMS Provides Quality Medical Education

The Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Governing Council, Nana Sam Brew Butler, addressing the gathering commended the UCCSMS for providing medical education of the highest quality to the students. He pointed out that “information indicates that our products are among the best in the country and are performing creditably’. Nana Butler announced that the University has proposed to provide scholarships to those who would elect to specialise.

To the graduating class, he said, “You have endured great training and today you have earned what only a few can put behind their names. Go out there and demonstrate professionalism as you venture out to serve the sick and humanity’.

Unique Model of UCCSMS Training of Medical Doctors

The Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education, Prof. Mohammed Salifu, who represented the Minister for Education, said the University’s model of training medical doctors was unique and has produced competent and well-grounded doctors and was confident that they would bring about the needed change in medical practice in the country.

“As we commend you on your unique style, I hope other universities will emulate you as it is a marked change in medical training in Ghana”

Prof. Salifu said the health system was fraught with many challenges that were being addressed by the government at all levels but it would take the collective efforts of all to solve them. He mentioned that the Ministry was prepared to help get cutting edge medical practice and delivery in the country and therefore urged the newly qualified doctors to perform the best they could.

The Executive Secretary appealed the University to reconsider its full fee paying financing model to allow the brilliant but poor to access medical education at UCC.

UCCSMS Products Excelling at their Work Places

Presenting his address, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. D. Kuupole said UCCSMS has produced a total of 184 doctors spread over the country to help improve upon the doctor-patient ratio.

Commending the special feature of the medical school’s curriculum, the Community-Based-Experience and Service (COBES) that is designed to give the trainee doctors a hands-on experience of diseases and their treatment. He said it has given the doctors a strong community-based orientation for patient care.

“Mr. Chairman reports received about our doctors indicate that they are performing creditably in hospitals where they have their housemanship and those who have completed their training and are now Medical Doctors are excelling at their workplaces”.

In order to facilitate and enhance training at the school, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the Effia Nkwanta hospital in Sekondi Takoradi has been approved by the Ministry of Health for clinical training of medical students.

Prof. Kuupole bemoaned the slow pace of work on infrastructural facilities of the school saying “it has not made it possible for us to have the full benefit of them”.