On Thursday, December 14, 2017, the Ghanaian Pharmacists Association (GPhA) in the United States held an inauguration ceremony to induct new officers into office. The theme for the celebration was “Partners for Better health.”
The association which began with a small group of working and student pharmacists in the community has now grown to over 50 members.
It is the mission of GPhA to advocate for all Ghanaian Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, share knowledge and innovative ideas, assist with career opportunities and project a good professional image while working to strengthen the bond between Pharmacists in Ghana and the United States of America.
The evening's proceeding began with an address by His Excellency Dr. Barfour Adjei-Barwuah, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States who hosted the event at Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC. In his welcome address, the Ambassador said the impact of Ghanaians and African professionals in the pharmaceutical industry is very crucial for Ghana and Africa as a whole, in improving health standards.
"The future of Africa rests on you. The launch basically establishes that you are determined to make a more than average contribution to Africa’s effort to stand on her own", said the Ambassador who went on to congratulate the incoming office holders.
“Because Ghana was the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence we are more often held responsible for whatever advances Africa will make just as I am holding you responsible for the advances we can make in our health industry and in our general development as a whole” - Ambassador Barwuah.
He concluded his message with the words "Thank you for inviting me and thank you for giving us the expectation that we are making the right moves for a whole continent's future." Dr. Rauf Audu, registrar of Ghana Pharmacy Council on his part praised the leadership of the Ghanaian Pharmacists association for their effort in making the dream of the association come true.
Other speakers at the function included Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Howard University and Dr. Joseph R. Ofosu, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut.
In line with their aim of engaging in charitable activities and community services, the association has organized health fairs and screenings in the community for several years. They recently embarked on a Pharmacy textbook drive and donated several books to the pharmacy department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. They also donated several journals and magazines to the Ghana Pharmacy Council.
The following officers were sworn into office to steer the affairs of the Association: Kofi Oteng Bawuah - President, Vera Dannsa Asante - Vice President, Michael Nana Nyame-Mireku - Programs Coordinator, Samson Ansong - Secretary and Nana Kojo Dwumfour - Treasurer.
In his inaugural speech Dr. Kofi Oteng Bawuah, the President enumerated his priorities for the coming year. He said “we want to be successful in mobilizing and recruiting Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians across the nation to form one strong GPhA with chapters all over the US and also to partner with our Ghanaian colleagues to ensure better health for Ghanaian citizens, hence our motto: 'Partners for better health.'”
Dean of Howard University Pharmacy School Toyin Tofade was also in attendance to support the occasion. The curtain was drawn to conclude the event with a vote of thanks by Dr. Loreen Wutoh.
Today, the group has a total of two active Chapters in Maryland and Virginia and new Chapters have been started in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania , Texas, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California and Massachusetts.
