In a significant step toward advancing health education and research in Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Tuesday launched a new endowment fund aimed at raising $10 million over five years.

The KNUST College of Health Sciences Endowment Fund is set to bolster infrastructure, research, and enrolment, while providing scholarships and supporting essential equipment acquisition to retain health professionals within the country.

President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his support with a personal pledge of GH?200,000 Ghana, reflecting his administration's commitment to fostering a robust healthcare sector. The Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, standing in for the President at the launch on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in Accra echoed this sentiment, noting, "This endowment fund is one of the most significant steps to make the world a better place for those coming after us. It deserves commendation." The Minister also pledged to donate GH?100,000 to the fund.

The fund aims to alleviate some of the structural challenges in Ghana’s healthcare sector, addressing the need for skilled professionals, research on local diseases, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure.

Professor Christian Agyare, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, emphasized the fund's transformative potential. "This endowment fund is not just a financial instrument; it's a legacy, a commitment to future generations," he said. "It will empower us to provide scholarships, fund research, and improve our infrastructure."

Professor David Asamoah, Pro Vice Chancellor of KNUST, described the fund as both “timely and essential” for building a “future-ready” college. “The College of Health Sciences plays a critical role in transformation. It serves as the engine driving the production of highly skilled healthcare professionals, cutting-edge research, and the development of innovations that address the present health challenges of our time,” Professor Asamoah said.

The fund also calls on alumni, corporate entities, and development partners to invest in the future of healthcare education in Ghana. Professor Asamoah made a heartfelt appeal to alumni, stating, “To every KNUST alumni, this is an opportunity to give back to the institution that helped shape your careers. Your support will be an enduring gift to the next generation of health professionals.”

Dr. Okoe-Boye emphasized the long-term impact of sustainable funding for health education, referencing the transformative influence of similar funds at prestigious universities worldwide. "Endowment funds have proven to be powerful tools all over the world... Harvard is Harvard because of their funds. So is Princeton; so is Cambridge," he noted. He also pledged his personal support, committing 100,000 cedis and vowing to bring additional stakeholders on board.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board for the endowment fund, Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, assured transparency and accountability in fund management, stating, “Whatever contributions are made, accountability and transparency will be paramount. We are here to ensure that every donation is utilized for the purposes for which it is intended.”

The College of Health Sciences has contributed significantly to healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond, producing thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and public health experts. But as Professor Asamoah highlighted, the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape demands additional resources for KNUST to remain at the forefront of health education, particularly in tackling the impact of local and emerging health issues.

Expressing optimism, Professor Asamoah called the fund a “legacy” that would cement the college’s role as a leader in health research and professional training, adding, “This endowment fund is not just a financial instrument. It is a legacy, a commitment to future generations that we will provide them with the resources they need to succeed.”

With hopes high and pledges streaming in, the KNUST College of Health Sciences is poised to create a brighter, healthier future for Ghana, reflecting the vision that health is foundational to national prosperity.