GPhA holds 1st annual conference in the United States

The Ghanaian Pharmacists Association International (GPhA) held their first annual conference in the United States under the theme “Uniting to make an impact.”

The conference which brought together Ghanaian pharmacists from various states in the USA and Ghana was held from Friday, August 24 and concluded on Saturday, August 25 at the Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) Marriot in Maryland.

In his welcome address, the Host Dr. Kofi Oteng Bawuah and President of GPhA expounded on the theme “Uniting to make an Impact simply means bringing Ghana pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and students all over North America together to positively impact healthcare delivery in our local communities and in Ghana”

The event picked up steam on Saturday with various presentations by Dr. Christopher Keeys, (President of Clinical Pharmacists Associates and CEO Mednovations), Dr. Nana Akosua Boateng (Clinical Pharmacist), Dr. Linda Sarpong (CEO of Medrx Compound and Pharmacy), Mr. Francis Aboagye-Nyame (Project Director MSH) , and Mr. Ngu Nyimdem (CEO Pether Solutions) who gave in-depth insight on marketing strategies, clinical practice, entrepreneurship, business, and information technology.

The Saturday afternoon session ended with networking events and the GPhA Congress meeting.

The conference was crowned with an evening gala with members of GPhA and their guests in formal wear befitting the occasion.

The Saturday Evening session kicked off with a welcome address by the President and a message from Mr. Eric Boateng (Head of Chancery-Embassy of Ghana) on behalf Dr. Baffour Adjei-Bawuah, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States and Dr. Anthony Wutah, the Provost of Howard University.
The Biney family entertained the gathering with a splendid show of Ghanaian Cultural dancing to the admiration of all.

Delivering the keynote address The Senior Minister of Ghana, Dr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo took the gathering through Government efforts at providing the business climate for Pharmaceutical businesses to thrive in Ghana and the role GhpA can play in this dispensation.

The GPhA Congress resulted in the following important developments:

GPhA national interim executives were unanimously voted into 3-year terms of office, per stipulations of the GPhA constitution

Two new State chapters were inaugurated and interim officers appointed. These are:

Florida

Abena Milner (Interim President)
Sakyi K. Sarsah (Interim Vice President)
Kwame Kyeremateng-Afrani (Interim Treasurer)
Enoch Ofosu (Ambassador)
Pending(General Secretary)

NY/NJ

Aniwaa Owusu Obeng (Interim President)
Corrine Larkai-Asare (Interim Vice President)
Mary Appiah-Agyei (Gen. secretary)
Efua Ghansah (Interim Treasurer)
Nana Attafuah Beckoe (Programs Coordinator)

Eillen Dankwaah was nominated and confirmed as the new national programs coordinator, replacing Dr. Michael Nyame-Mireku.
Member dues will continue to be on an annual basis, with a pro-ration accommodation made for new members.

The house deliberated on dates and venues for GPhA’s next annual conference, with the decision made that GPhA Executives will put out suggestions for members to vote on.

The motion carried to change the name of GPhA-US to GPhA-NA on the association’s website.

About Ghanaian Pharmacists Association International (GPhA)

The association began with a small group of working and student pharmacists in the Washington Metro Area but has now grown to over 200 members in North America with branches in across the United States of America.

It is the vision of GPhA to establish a unified national network of Ghanaian Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Students who will make a powerful positive impact in Health-care both in the United States and in Ghana.

The group seeks to advocate for all Ghanaian Pharmacists and Technicians, share knowledge, ideas and innovations, assist with career opportunities and project a good professional image, while working to strengthen the bond between Pharmacists in Ghana and the United States.