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Eighteen students from the Ensign College of Public Health in Kpong in the Eastern Region received the Master of Public Health degree from the fifth congregation of the College.
The graduates, including nine men and nine women, have successfully completed two years of studies in public health management.
The ceremony, which took place in the school’s auditorium over the weekend, was attended by several dignitaries, including the vice president of the board, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa; Rector, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, who represented the Vice-Rector of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Patrick Kuma, Academic Registrar and Director of Human Resources.
There were also virtual speeches from the founder and chairman of the board, Dr. Lynette Gay, and the president of the College, Professor Stephen C. Alder.
Professor Christian Agyare awarded the Master of Public Health degree to the students.
The students as part of the ceremony were also administered with the Public Health Oath and the Graduate Oath and were also hooded and presented with scrolls.
Special guest of honor at the event and managing director of Nyaho Medical Center, Dr. Elikem Tamakloe, said that the 2020 events with the global Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world should serve as a wake-up call to the growing complexity. and interconnectedness of the rapidly changing world.
“Now more than ever, the call for thoughtful globally minded members who are impacting their communities by serving the vulnerable and empowered alike grows stronger as the fractures that have embedded our healthcare systems are exposed and they often stress to the detriment of the beneficiaries the system was built to serve. “
He challenged graduates to live up to the high standards and demands of their profession by serving as responses to the many visible inequalities in the provision of health services in various societies.
He said the world needs courageous leaders who will step up and serve their communities.
“When I look across this auditorium, I see problem solvers, change agents, system builders, consultants, influencers, decision makers, giants who have moved over the course of the last two years of this program to break down the barriers and obstacles. that exist in any developing society that aspires to correct past injustices and offer every citizen the right to good health and well-being, the right to work and be productive, and the right to offer future generations a legacy on the which to build. “
College President Professor Stephen C. Alder, while noting that the practice and science of public health depended on the ability of healthcare professionals to achieve their potential, said that SARS-CoV-2 that faced by public health professionals could serve as agents of encouragement.
“Could it be that, as members of this great university school of the public health family, we can be agents of peace and unity while encouraging those within our spheres of influence to work together for the common good of eradicating Covid- 19? “
He added: “We had no way of knowing that, almost without warning, we would be asked to close our campus in support of the national effort to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2… that over a period of time, we would need to change our entire plan. of studies to be taught online … that many members of our ensign family who were already sacrificing themselves to support this institution would be asked to do more. “
He charged graduate students with accepting challenges and “recognizing that challenges are opportunities to find greatness within ourselves and use that greatness to make the world a better, more peaceful and more prosperous place.”
He also challenged graduates to embark on the never-ending quest to bravely face all the challenges that stand in the way of health and prosperity.
“How can we stop the global effects of diseases like malaria, pneumonia, and tuberculosis… create the conditions that allow for safe workplaces… fewer traffic-related injuries and safe homes… than physical activity and healthy eating continue… support mothers during pregnancy and children during the vulnerable five years of life? “
In addition, he challenged graduates to use the knowledge acquired at the prestigious institution to change the world forever.
Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa in an interview praised the students for their tireless efforts to identify critical challenges in specific areas of society and offer them the appropriate solutions.
“The students themselves enter into various aspects of the community with various theses and make community diagnoses and do community support and community management,” said the professor.
The board vice president said the university has fostered a healthy relationship with local communities through their chiefs, religious bodies, and political bodies, adding that the school played a critical role in raising awareness and supporting the community with PPE. during the peak of Covid-19. pandemic.
Deserving students who excelled in various categories were awarded plaques.
Among them were Abigail Lardjer Marnarh for the Community Service Award, Henry Okorie Ugorji for the SpringTide Scholarship, the Rebecca Tricia Morrison Best Thesis Award, and the Best Student Overall, Rebecca Tricia Morrison.
There were messages of goodwill from students at the faculty, the University of Utah, the National Accreditation Board, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, and Professor Christian Agyare.
