COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE GHANA COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS’ HELD AT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GHANA HEAD OFFICE, ACCRA

The Ghana College of Pharmacists convened its 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Assemblies of God, Ghana Head Office, on Thursday, the 28^th of August 2025 under the theme: “The Role of the Specialist Pharmacist in the Delivery of Health Targets for the Nation”.

This event brought together over fifty (50) fellows and members and was chaired by the Governing Council Chair of the College, Professor Francis Ackah Armah, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast.

The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh was ably represented by the Ag. Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Saviour Yevutsey as the Special Guest of Honour.

Professor Christian Agyare, Provost of College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists delivered an elaborate speech on the theme, highlighting the evolving healthcare landscape and how the various pharmacy specialisations can be leveraged to meet health targets of the nation.

There were goodwill messages from sister Colleges and several collaborators.

During the conference, 44 Members, 4 fellows by coursework and 15 fellows by nomination were inducted into the College by Professor Francis Ackah Armah.

After deliberations on the theme, reports and other speeches during the meeting, participants observed the following:

The Ghana College of Pharmacists is severely plagued by challenges that threaten its ability to fulfill its mandate, including a lack of permanent accommodation, an incomplete staff complement, and reliance on a single, worn-out vehicle for all its operations;

Pharmacists can reach their zenith by striving for practice excellence, influencing policy through advocacy and making efforts to impact their communities;

Specialist pharmacists play a vital role in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in clinical decision-making, service development, and healthcare transformation;

Specialist pharmacists can help mitigate serious health risks, such as antimicrobial resistance and emerging infectious diseases, by enhancing clinical outcomes and patient safety;

Specialist pharmacists can contribute to Ghana’s efforts to produce 20% of its own vaccines locally by 2030, drive clinical research, and advance universal health coverage;

Specialist pharmacist training is essential for equipping pharmacists with the necessary competencies to enhance clinical outcomes and patient safety;

Equipping pharmacists with pharmaceutical compounding skills plays a vital role in modern healthcare, offering personalised solutions;

Challenges facing specialist pharmacists can be addressed through policy advocacy, curriculum review, continuous professional development, stronger professional relationships, investment in data collection and research, and strengthening regulatory bodies.

Based on these observation, participants are calling on government to:

1. Provide permanent accommodation for the Ghana College of Pharmacists: With the rent on its current accommodation due by the end of October, participants urge the government to secure a permanent home for the College as soon as possible;
2. Fully staff the Ghana College of Pharmacists: To enable the College to execute its full mandate, participants request that the government provide a fully functional staff;
3. Provide transportation support: Participants call on the government to provide the College with at least one vehicle to facilitate official transportation and ensure the smooth operation of the College;
4. Support pharmacist specialization: Participants urge the government to offer full or partial support to pharmacists who are due for specialization through the College;
5. Employ pharmacists at the National Vaccine Institute: To facilitate research and support the safe and effective production of vaccines locally, participants request that the government employ pharmacists at the National Vaccine Institute.

Participants further recommended that the College:

1. Enhance advocacy and partnership engagement: Strengthen advocacy and engagement with industry and institutional partners to clarify specialization pathways and career development opportunities for pharmacists;
2. Align training programs with national health targets: Design training programs that align with Ghana’s health targets, ensuring that pharmacists are equipped to address the country’s healthcare needs;
3. Improve transparency and accountability: Provide regular reports, including financial statements, to Fellows and Members before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to ensure transparency and accountability;
4. Streamline retention fee payments: Send out monthly reminders to aid in the timely payment of retention fees, ensuring compliance.
5. Recognize preceptors’ contributions: Increase efforts to recognize and appreciate the contributions of preceptors who play a vital role in mentoring and training specialist pharmacists.

Participants resolved:

That the retention fees of Fellows and members of the Ghana College of Pharmacists be validated by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana annually.

Appreciation

The Ghana College of Pharmacists extends its profound gratitude to:

1. Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health, for his representation and support
2. The distinguished thematic speaker, Professor Christian Agyare
3. All other speakers, sponsors and participants for their contributions and commitment to advancing specialist pharmacist education and healthcare excellence in Ghana.