PREAMBLE

As part of a prologue to celebration events of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Ghana Medical School, Dora Akuetteh MB ChB, 1987 proposed a suggestion and challenge to the School’s Alumni on the UGMSAA website asking 1000 UGMS Alumni to donate $1000.00 each to raise $1 million dollars for initial Foundation Fund to sustain and improve infrastructure and curriculum in the Medical School.

Over several months in 2022-2023, through numerous discussions of the challenge, 8 UGMS Alumni scattered across USA and Ghana deliberated over several zoom meetings that culminated in the establishment and incorporation of a US based Non Profit Tax exempt 501c University of Ghana Medical School Alumni Foundation.

The mission of UGMSAF is to canvass, solicit and raise $1000.00 or more from 1000 UGMS Alumni and the general public to fund the initial $1 million Foundation fund. The return on this investment would be used to advance the Mission and Vision of the UGMSAF. One time or periodic individual Installment contributions of monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual to reach $1000.00 each within 12 months would be thankfully accepted.

Message from the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of UGMSAF

Message from the Dean of UGMS

Why I Give

Healthy communities are vibrant and empower individuals to develop their full potential to the benefit of their society. Physicians are an important integral part of promoting, guarding educating and ensuring healthy individuals and communities.

As physicians we are very well aware of the intrinsic value of education. We constantly learn and adopt new evidence based treatment modalities to safeguard the health of individuals and communities. Physicians are also drivers and leaders in teaching healthcare professionals we work with.

Empowering the next generation of Physicians through the provision of up to date infrastructure, human and educational resources and curricula at the University of Ghana Medical School would support, ensure provision, sustenance and progression of healthy vibrant communities.

I can think of no bigger and better return on investment (ROI) than a generous donation to the UGMSAF to help enable the Foundation empower the next generation of physicians in the pursuit of creating a healthy vibrant society for our people.

Please join us, in making a generous (US tax deductible) donation to UGMSAF to help achieve this noble and worthy goal.

Jason Ofori, MB ChB 1972, FACS Ophth.
Toledo OH

Priority of University of Ghana Medical School Projects

s1.0 BACKGROUND
The University of Ghana Medical School turned 60 last year and since its inception, the school has undergone some level of development through its committed and generous alumni both within and outside the country. One can just say that the school is where it is because of the significant role and generous contribution of its respective alumni year groups and we say thank you. This said, the current state of the school with many issues interacting dynamically in practice necessitates the need for more support to bring the school to required and expected standard.

Currently, a number of infrastructural developments, renovation and expansion are urgently expected to meet the growing student numbers as their growth is outpacing existing structures/facilities resulting in overcrowding, increased faculty workload among others which undoubtedly have a negative effect on teaching, learning and quality assurance. To date, most old facilities are still in existence and not seen any major renovation, upgrade or expansion and have become a moribund yet being utilized for teaching and learning. Faculty and staff work in enclosed buildings with leaking roofs, inadequate ventilation, limited space and office equipment. Beside these, the school operates under limited capacity in terms of residential facilities for students and lacks smart classrooms to enhanced teaching and learning. For instance, the Pathology Museum (in a most deplorable state) and Basic Science Block have existed for decades without any major renovation and expansion respectively. Consequently, these contribute to lower educational achievement and quality, lost income and decline in image and reputation.
The following are priority projects needed to improve teaching and learning and maintenance of quality education at the UGMS:

(1) Student Hostels (Ghanaians and international)
The school has come to a critical stage where it urgently needs to expand its hostels to meet growing student numbers. Given the limited accommodations, the school is unable to increase its intake. In addition, most students (third year) currently live around the Korle Bu enclave and even far and are challenged with occasional attacks and transportation issues. The building of students’ hostels will relieve students’ and parents’ burdens and minimize perennial housing challenges that confront the school. This, when done will undoubtedly have an impact on student learning, academic performance and further generate additional income for the school for developmental projects.
In addition, this will be cost-saving, will limit the age-long daily commute from Legon to Korle-Bu by our students and would be a cost saving measure.

(2) Basic Science Building Expansion
This has existed over decades and has not seen any major expansion and upgrade. Development of the building will aid faculty development, student training and learning. Specifically, we seek to develop the MB3 block to a three-storey building for this purpose to :
• increase the number of dissection tables for Anatomy- this has remained the same for the past 40 years.
• provide a Basic Science Research Laboratory for Faculty development.
• provide classrooms and seminar rooms for small group tutorials, workshops and demonstrations.

(3) Professor W.N Laing Pathology Museum
The school proposes a three-storey museum facility to house Anatomy, Pathology and General Medical Education. The current museum is in a deplorable state and has not been in use for years. Renovation, expansion and development of it will enhance Individual education (through access to photos, artifacts, aesthetics history, etc.) , transfer of knowledge across borders, an intellectual space and avenue for the exchange of scientific, cultural and educational ideas towards a more in-depth exploration of issues and trends in medical education in Ghana and UGMS heritage. It will also offer the opportunity for the school and its broader community to celebrate the institution’s unique history and heritage, and to offer an “open book to the world” of its history, contribution to society and its uniqueness. The museum will also be a potential income generating investment to help advance the development of the school.

(4) Completion of a State-of-the-Art Classroom Block as an additional floor on the Research Building
The school is constrained with limited classrooms and unable to increase its yearly intake. This has affected admission of potentially excellent and promising young students who graduate from Senior High Schools yearly and others with similar qualification to pursue medical education particularly in Ghana and at University of Ghana Medical School. Additionally, the existing classrooms create discomfort to both students and lecturers as a result of overcrowding.

In Summary, the UGMS is extremely grateful for the contribution of our alumni over the years towards the school’s development. Any support in improving teaching and learning in our premier medical school would be greatly cherished.
God Bless all your efforts.

Professor Alfred E. Yawson
DEAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS