Pharmacy Students urged to leverage on technology to solve emerging health challenges

The Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Mr. Kwabena Asante Offei, has implored pharmacy students to leverage growing digital technology to address health problems in the country.

"…when we do that then, our profession will be distinguished and we (Pharmacists) will also be distinguished. The necessary reward will come later" he added.

Mr. Asante Offei made the remarks during the week celebration of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students’ Association of University of Cape Coast. It was on the theme, " Harnessing Technology in Pharmaceutical Service Delivery: Opportunity for the next generation Pharmacists."

The Vice President further encouraged them to think globally and take advantage of current opportunities in the world of work and embrace entrepreneurship. 

Mr. Offei, who is also a legal practitioner, stressed the need for pharmacy students to read on government and public affairs so they could be on top of issues in those areas.

Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Mr. Kwabena Asante Offei

To him, the role of government in every facet of the economy, including health, agriculture, education, should be of interest to pharmacy students hence, the need to read. 

Speaking on the topic: "Opportunities for the next generation Pharmacist", the Country Manager of Denk Pharma in Ghana,  Pharm Naa Okailey Adamafio-Mantea, entreated pharmacy students to adequately prepare for opportunities in the world of work. She, therefore, told them to take up internships and strike bold acquaintances to achieve more in future.

Pharm Adamafio-Mantea counseled the students indicating that the pharmacy programme they were studying was a launch pad to propel them to take other jobs outside their profession.

As an example, she said the Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Ltd, Mrs Mansa Nettey, was a pharmacist but was into banking.

Pharm Adamafio-Mantea, therefore, challenged them not to limit themselves to only the pharmacy profession but grab any golden opportunity in other sectors of the economy.

Country Manager of Denk Pharma in Ghana,  Pharm Naa Okailey Adamafio-Mantea

"Prepare for the opportunities which are yet to come your way. Whenever you have the opportunity to learn something new just grab it. Take up internships and develop growth encouraging friendships” she said. 

“Consider the Pharmacy profession as the key that gives you entry into the space you are looking for" she added.

The patron of GPSA UCC, Dr. Daniel Anokwah advised students to take extracurricular activities at the department seriously because those are the activities that will prepare them for the opportunities out there.

In the closing remarks, the Vice Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences-UCC and Chairperson for the event, Dr. Robert Peter Biney, advised that students should take advantage of the technology around them.  He added they should be ready for opportunities that came their way.

The guest speakers with some faculty members and executives of GPSA

Also present at the event was the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences-UCC, Prof. Elvis Ofori Ameyaw and other members of faculty.

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC