By Nelson Ayivor
President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the 66th annual conference of the West African College of Surgeons in Accra, describing the gathering as a powerful symbol of regional cooperation and professional excellence in healthcare.
Addressing surgeons, trainees, health administrators, diplomats, traditional leaders, and guests from across West Africa and beyond, the President welcomed delegates to Ghana and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening surgical capacity and health systems across the sub-region.
President Mahama said it was a privilege for Ghana to host the conference, noting that when the College last met in the country in 2014, he had participated as Head of State.
“Today, as we gather here in Accra, this conference addresses a professional community that transcends national borders. It reflects our shared regional aspirations and the enduring partnerships we continue to build with colleagues and institutions across the world.”
The President expressed gratitude to the leadership of the College for conferring on him the honour of Grand Patron of the conference and admitting him as an honorary fellow. He said the recognition was accepted on behalf of the people of Ghana and as a renewed commitment to support the work of the College.
He paid tribute to volunteer surgeons whose outreach services have brought relief and restored dignity to patients across Ghana, adding that the government would work with the Ministry of Health to settle outstanding costs related to such humanitarian surgical interventions.
College’s Longstanding Contribution to Specialist Training
President Mahama commended the College for its longstanding contribution to specialist training in the sub-region, noting that a significant proportion of surgeons serving across West African countries were trained under its programmes.
He acknowledged the vision of the pioneers who laid the foundation of the institution, including Dr Victor Anuma Ngu and Sir Samuel Manuwa, whose foresight continues to benefit generations of medical professionals.
He also recalled with respect several eminent West African surgeons whose scholarship and mentorship shaped surgical practice and education across the region.
In a solemn moment, the President reflected on the sacrifices made by health professionals in the line of duty, recalling the tragic loss of Professor John Kwateboy Mamonkwati and his colleagues who died while returning from a surgical outreach programme.
He said their passing was a reminder of the urgent need to build systems that ensure access to specialised care is not determined by geography and that quality health services reach every community.
Touching on the theme of the conference, capacity building in surgery, President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama said the concept must be understood broadly.
He explained that strengthening surgical capacity goes beyond training more surgeons to include investment in anaesthesia, nursing, diagnostics, blood services, sterile supply chains, critical care and reliable referral systems.
He stressed the importance of clinical governance, continuous professional development and regulatory frameworks that protect patients while enabling skilled practice.
“We will carefully study the recommendations coming out of this conference and work with stakeholders to implement those that require immediate action while developing structured pathways for longer-term reforms.”
Sustainable and Innovative Health Financing
He acknowledged the fiscal constraints facing many health systems in the sub region but called for sustainable and innovative financing models, including responsible private sector participation that safeguards equity, quality and affordability.
President Mahama also highlighted the need to support newly trained health professionals to establish viable practices, particularly in underserved areas, while ensuring appropriate oversight and adherence to standards.
He described this as both a matter of fairness and a practical necessity for building resilient health systems. In this context, he encouraged deliberate measures to promote female participation across surgical disciplines through mentorship, supportive institutional policies and training structures that allow excellence alongside family responsibilities.
Innovation and technology featured prominently in the President’s address. He welcomed the College’s growing use of information and communication technology in training and examinations, describing initiatives in artificial intelligence, surgical education innovation and technology application as aligned with the future of modern medicine.
He said when responsibly deployed, technology can enhance education, improve clinical decision making, strengthen mentoring and support quality assurance and research.
President Mahama underscored the importance of evidence based practice, noting that sound research underpins both clinical excellence and effective health policy.
He said the conference provided an important platform for professional networking and international collaboration that can mobilise resources, strengthen research capacity and accelerate the translation of evidence into improved patient outcomes across the region.
As he brought his address to a close, the President praised the West African College of Surgeons for maintaining high training standards and a strong service ethos over the decades.
He urged participants to pursue solutions that can be scaled across diverse health systems to improve equity and access to care. He also encouraged delegates to enjoy Ghana’s hospitality and cultural richness during their stay.
With those remarks, President John Dramani Mahama formally declared the 66th annual conference of the West African College of Surgeons open, reaffirming Ghana’s readiness to partner with the College and regional stakeholders to advance surgical care and health outcomes for the people of West Africa.