The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged newly trained doctors from the Accra College of Medicine (ACM) to use their education and positions of influence to uplift others as the school marked its 6th congregation and 10th anniversary in Accra.

Speaking at the ceremony over the weekend, she said the milestone was not only a celebration of academic success but also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with becoming a doctor.

She encouraged the graduates to recognise the many sacrifices that contributed to their journey, including the support of parents, guardians, lecturers, and mentors.

According to her, the Accra College of Medicine began with a simple idea but had matured into a respected institution where science is blended with compassion and conscience. She praised the College for earning full accreditation from both the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Medical and Dental Council.

The Vice President told the graduates that while they must applaud themselves for their hard work and sleepless nights, they must also never forget those who helped them along the way. She urged them to continue showing gratitude and to acknowledge the lecturers who shaped their training.

Beyond human support systems, she added, there was also “an invisible hand” that guided them, and the best way to honour that blessing was by being kind to others.

The Vice President also reminded them that their new positions give them power, and they must use that power to help the less privileged.

Chairman of the College Council, Emeritus Professor Stephen Adei, called for a stronger partnership between the public and private sectors across all areas of national development, including education. Drawing on his experience in both sectors, he stated that Ghana would progress faster if deliberate efforts were made to support and expand public-private collaboration.

He mentioned that private sector operators have contributed significantly to the country’s progress and deserve greater recognition. He also named individuals and institutions whose work continues to support development in various fields.

Professor Adei described the graduation of 23 medical doctors as another example of how private initiatives, when supported, can deliver national impact. He commended the founders and partners of the Accra College of Medicine for helping shape Ghana’s medical education landscape.

President of the Accra College of Medicine, Professor Afua A. J. Hesse, added that the institution remained committed to supporting Ghana’s health priorities and producing doctors who demonstrate competence, compassion, and integrity. She noted that ACM graduates were already contributing to healthcare delivery in district, regional, and teaching hospitals across the country.

She explained that innovation and research have been central to the College’s mission over the past decade, and the next phase of their work will place even greater emphasis on interdisciplinary research involving medicine, technology, and the social sciences.

The College, she revealed, planned to expand its research capacity, strengthen digital learning, deepen global partnerships, and increase scholarship opportunities to make medical education more accessible.

Looking ahead, Professor Hesse announced that ACM would introduce new programmes, including a graduate-entry accelerated medical programme and a physician-scientist training track, to prepare future doctors for both clinical work and research leadership.