The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has made a compelling appeal to health institutions across Ghana to revise their admission systems, enabling foreign students to enroll in health training programs.
According to him, by opening their doors to international students, health training institutions could not only contribute to the growth of Ghana’s healthcare workforce but also address their ongoing revenue mobilization challenges.
Speaking at the 16th General Annual Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions held in Bolgatanga, Mr. Yakubu emphasized the absence of any legal barriers and highlighted the potential positive impact such a move could have on the institutions’ revenue generation.
While addressing the gathering of healthcare professionals, educators, and officials, Mr. Yakubu commended the inclusivity and progressiveness of the Ghanaian education system, stating that there are no constitutional or institutional restrictions barring foreign students from pursuing healthcare education in the country.
The Upper East Regional Minister shared insights on the potential benefits of welcoming foreign students, including increased tuition revenue and the diversification of the student body, which can promote cultural exchange and enhance the overall educational experience.
Mr. Yakubu urged institutions to establish a clear and transparent admission framework, outlining the prerequisites for foreign student enrollment while emphasizing the importance of maintaining high academic standards.
He stressed that the government would support these institutions in ensuring the quality of healthcare education provided.
The proposal sparked enthusiastic discussions among attendees, who recognized the potential of this initiative to boost Ghana’s reputation as an educational hub and strengthen the healthcare sector by fostering cross-cultural interactions among students.
While acknowledging the minister’s appeal, the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, also used the occasion to encourage healthcare professionals to ensure that they are prepared to meet the challenges and complexities of modern healthcare.
“…the field of healthcare is a noble and vital one as it concerns the health and well-being of individuals and communities. It is imperative that those who aspire to become healthcare professionals receive education of the highest quality to ensure that they are prepared to meet the challenges and complexities of modern healthcare.”
He assured that some of the challenges confronting the training institutions have been acknowledged, and efforts are underway to address them.
The theme for the program was “Quality Assurance and Accreditation in the Training of Healthcare Professionals: the Anchor for Quality Training.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
