Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons honour Prof. Paul K. Nyame and Prof. Emeritus Francis K. Nkrumah at Annual Leadership Symposium

By: Kobina Baidoo

A convergence of brilliant minds with diverse expertise spanning various scientific disciplines, all convened at the prestigious Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons for the Annual Leadership Symposium.

The Symposium which was organized in honor of Professor Paul K. Nyame and Professor Francis K. Nkrumah, instigated discussions on ‘Health Sector Development in Ghana; Exemplary Leadership in Research and Medical Education’.

Chairperson of the symposium, Prof Yaw Adu-Gyamfi expressed with much elation the privilege of being part of the event. He acknowledged and applauded the two iconic individuals for the impact made years after their retirement from active duty. Recalling his days as house officer of Professor Francis K. Nkrumah and a friend of Professor Paul Kwame Nyame, he said, “As a leader your principal job is to create an environment where others can do great things; these two individuals have done an amazing job in creating an environment for posterity in today’s health sector.”

Rector of the Ghana College of Physicans and Surgeons; Professor Adamu, believed that the honorees have had a trans-generational impact in Ghana’s health sector and deserved to be honored as pacesetters for exceptional health care in Ghana. “We are not bringing Professor Paul K. Nyame and Professor Francis K. Nkrumah here because they are perfect; we are bringing them here because they have made major contributions in health sector development both on a national and global scale; They have become an inspiration to many.”

A well detailed documentary which captured the achievements and policies of each honoree was filmed to show how far they have come in enhancing the health sector of Ghana. Both documentaries featured former colleagues, students, spouses and embodied products of their indelible knowledge, who gave a personal narration of how they have been impacted by the honorees.

The gathering’s key speaker, Professor David Ofori-Adjei while honoring the two individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the health sector of Ghana, revealed that they are responsible for the existence of many medical institutions, and the training of medical personnel to attend to chronic health conditions . He emphasized the importance of succession plans and the outlining of succession plans to identify leaders and adjust to maximize the potentials of successive leaders .

He noted that these processes will always ensure the rendering of exceptional health care services in innovative and more efficient ways. “This symposium is about leadership; one has to ask that have we just been lucky in this journey and found the right to leaders?; do we have systems and processes that ensure that we have a ready group of individuals to take over and handle the leadership to improve health care services in Ghana? Should we examine our process for identifying leaders and adjust to maximize the potentials of successive leaders?; applying these suggestions can ensure a successful and positive change that benefits all the stakeholders involved; institutions like the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons should consider seriously building their future in the present.” he relayed.

Speaking on behalf of Professor Emeritus Francis K. Nkrumah, was his wife Dr. Margaret E. Nkrumah who extended his warmest gratitude to all entities who saw the need to acknowledge Professor Nkrumah. She believed that he deserved all accolades and words of appreciation showered on him for his exceptional work. “My husband is a rather private person and would have been very embarrassed by the gratitude all these people have shown him; He was not just interested in the medical side but he had a holistic outlook for the well being of the Ghanaian people.” she said and also received the noble citation offered by the college to her husband as a token of gratitude and appreciation.

Professor Paul K. Nyame, after receiving a prestigious citation, expressed his gratitude to all individuals who worked hard to recognize him for playing an effective role in enhancing health care in Ghana. He submitted that, “It is not the easiest exercise to get a set of professionals like experienced doctors to select two of their own to honor in such a way. I say a big thank you on behalf of myself and my senior brother Professor Francis Nkrumah for this honor.”

The Annual Leadership Symposium marks a pivotal moment in the collective pursuit of Professor Paul K. Nyame and Professor Francis K. Nkrumah in advancing Ghana’s Health Sector, as individuals with a profound knowledge base in research and medical education and have trained individuals who are prepared to shape the future trajectory of healthcare excellence in the nation.