Invest in training and deployment of pharmacists – Asantehene urges government

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on the Ghanaian government to prioritize investment in the training and deployment of pharmacists across the country. He emphasized that a robust pharmaceutical workforce is a cornerstone of any effective healthcare system.

Speaking at an event commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), themed "Futureproofing pharmacy through pharmacy education," the Asantehene stressed that healthcare investments must deliberately include the development and placement of pharmacists at all care levels.

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No health system can function effectively without a strong, well-trained, and properly utilised pharmaceutical workforce

The ceremony, also known as the "Prof. Tackie RxEdu Forum and Gala Night," honored Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, for her contributions to pharmacy education. The Asantehene noted that the future of the profession hinges not just on numbers but on the quality of training and enforced standards.

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this direction must not only be maintained, but it must also be deepened and preserved

He highlighted the evolution from B-Pharm to PharmD as a reflection of changing healthcare demands, which are now more clinical, patient-focused, and integrated into the broader system. "This direction must not only be maintained, but it must also be deepened and preserved," he stated. The Asantehene also reminded educators and professionals that education extends beyond the classroom, emphasizing the critical role of preceptorship in translating knowledge into practice.

Addressing the leadership of the profession, he urged them "do not compromise on quality in the name of expansion, as the integrity of the profession depends on the discipline you enforce today." He stressed the need for consistent standards, intentional supervision, and measurable outcomes, positioning pharmacists not just as dispensers but as experts in the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines. The President of the PSGH, Dr. Paul Owusu Donkor, affirmed that the health of Ghanaians relies heavily on the contributions of pharmacists.

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do not compromise on quality in the name of expansion, as the integrity of the profession depends on the discipline you enforce today