COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE GHANA COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS’ 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE HELD AT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GHANA HEAD OFFICE, ACCRA.

The Ghana College of Pharmacists held its 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference under the theme “Specialist Pharmacy Service Delivery for the attainment of UHC-towards the SDGs” at the Assemblies of God, Ghana Head Office, Accra on 25^th and 26^th June, 2024.

The conference was chaired by Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Akwamuhene and the Paramount Chief of the Akwamu State in Ghana, and attended by Members, Fellows and other distinguished dignitaries.

The Honourable Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye was ably represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Dr. Mrs. Joycelyn Azeez as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Thematic speech was delivered by Pharm Kofi Aboagye Nyame, Programme Director, Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program and Fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists who delved extensively into “The Role of Specialist Pharmacy Services in Achieving Universal Health Coverage and Advancing Towards the sustainable development goals”. There was a two-track parallel scientific session with 12 peer-reviewed abstracts presented either orally or as posters on sub-themes of the conference.

Seventy-six (76) members and the first batch of eight (8) fellows by coursework were inducted into the College. Newly elected Faculty Officers, Vice President and President of the College were out doored. The Elected Officers are:

1. Pharm Joseph Kodjo Nsiah Nyoagbe – President
2. Pharm Prof. Kwame Ohene Buabeng – Vice President ; Faculty Head, Community and Family Health Pharmacy
3. Pharm Dr Mrs Dorcas Poku Boateng – Faculty Head, Clinical Pharmacy
4. Pharm Dr Mrs Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt – Faculty Head, Public Health Pharmacy
5. Pharm Samuel Nkum Tenkorang – Faculty Head, Social and Administrative Pharmacy
6. Pharm Jonathan Martey – Faculty Head, Quality Assurance
7. Pharm Prof. Kwasi Adomako Ohemeng – Faculty Head, Drug and Herbal Medicine  Discovery, Development and Production

The College also inaugurated an Institutional Review Board (IRB), charged to ethically review and evaluate all research proposals presented to the College, monitor research activities and protect all human subjects used in research. The members of the Board are:

1. Pharm Prof. Elvis Ofori Ameyaw – Chair
2. Pharm Kwabena Asante-Offei
3. Pharm Rev. Sefanya Quarcoopome
4. Mr. Charles McCarthy
5. Pharm Prof. Christian Agyare
6. Pharm Dr. Frempomaa Nelson
7. Pharm Prof. Joyce Addo-Atuah
8. Pharm Dr. Janet Boachie-Yiadom
9. Pharm Dr Mrs Esther Amedzro
10. Pharm Josephine Tweneboa Osarfo

Arising from the speeches, reports, poster and oral presentations and contributions of participants, the following key observations were made;

1. Globally, we are fast approaching the deadline for realizing the SDGs and quality healthcare is pivotal for this realization;
2. The role of the private sector in the provision of timely, accessible, equitable and quality healthcare services to all people cannot be underestimated. This calls for a multi-sectoral approach towards the attainment of UHC;
3. Pharmacists are a highly accessible cadre of health professionals considering their availability and geographic distribution and can be strengthened to provide quality, accessible care at affordable cost; 
4. Specialist pharmacists play a crucial role in the supply of essential medicines, development of effective medication management protocols, strengthening health systems and fostering innovation through research and education to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages;
5. There is the need for more funding to be made available for the training of specialist pharmacists and monitoring of residency training sites;
6. It is imperative that more pharmacists are trained as specialists in emerging areas of healthcare such as geriatric care, psychiatry and compounding to ensure continuum of care in all areas;
7. It is crucial that specialist pharmacists are positioned to make optimal use of the skills and expertise acquired during their training;
8. With dedication, discipline and differentiation, pharmacists can move from only being custodians of drugs to leading the delivery of pharmaceutical services at all levels.

Based on the deductions above, participants recommended the following:

1. To devise strategies of addressing HR issues within the sector and institutions that prevent pharmacists interested in specialisation from going into training;
2. To liaise with the Advocacy team of the PSGH to engage relevant stakeholders regarding issues of redevelopment of the College’s current premises;
3. To engage relevant stakeholders on how specialists from all faculties in the College can transition seamlessly into roles at their facilities to contribute effectively to the delivery of quality healthcare;
4. To continue to apply for research grants from some institutions;
5. To design mentorship programmes for multi-generational engagements among Fellows and members to promote collaboration to aid in the grooming of younger specialist pharmacists;
6. To continue to collaborate and strengthen relations with organizations within and outside the country;
7. To explore the introduction of newer disciplines of pharmacy specialisation;
8. To position the College as a thought leader in decision-making as it applies to the pharmaceutical sector;
9. To intensify efforts to remind Fellows to settle their dues including regular calls and sending out timely emails.