President John Dramani Mahama has assured the University of Ghana (UG) that the management of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) will be transferred to the University.
He disclosed that a committee established to examine the transfer of the UGMC from the Ministry of Health to the University had submitted its report for consideration.
President Mahama gave the assurance at the second session of the University of Ghana’s July Congregation, held on Saturday, 25 July, at the University’s Great Hall.
The ceremony saw 157 candidates awarded doctoral degrees by the School of Graduate Studies. In total, 1,884 students graduated during the two-day congregation, comprising 157 PhD graduates, 1,429 master’s degree holders and 298 undergraduate students.
The President said the next step would be the presentation of a transition roadmap to guide the implementation of the transfer.
“We remain determined to ensure that the University of Ghana Medical Centre fully serves its original purpose as a centre of excellence for teaching, research, specialist training and world-class healthcare delivery,” he said.
President Mahama also reiterated his Government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, stating that no qualified Ghanaian should be denied the opportunity to pursue tertiary education because of financial constraints.
He said the Government’s “No Fees Stress” initiative would enable first-year students in public tertiary institutions to begin their academic journey with dignity, confidence and hope.
“Education should never be determined by the size of one’s pocket, but by the strength of one’s knowledge and potential,” he said.
The President congratulated the graduates for their academic achievements and commended their commitment to research and knowledge creation. He made special mention of his Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who was among the graduating class, and encouraged all graduates to continue striving for excellence.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University had retained its position as the leading university in Ghana and West Africa while strengthening its standing among Africa’s top institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
According to her, the University was ranked among the top 13 universities in Africa in the latest rankings, reflecting its performance in research, innovation, teaching and learning.
Prof. Amfo attributed the achievement to the implementation of the University’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, particularly its focus on impactful research, transformative student experiences, partnerships, and faculty and staff development.
