The Family Health University (FHU), Ghana’s premier private medical school, has officially welcomed its 2025/2026 Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) cohort with a joint Matriculation and White Coat Ceremony held at the university’s campus in Accra.

The solemn yet inspiring event marked the beginning of the medical journey for the new class, as students donned their white coats and pledged their commitment to the values of the medical profession.

In his address, Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, Founder and Vice-Chancellor of FHU, urged the students to adopt a lifelong commitment to learning, noting that medicine is an ever-evolving field.

“Medicine is a discipline where curiosity and knowledge fuel excellence,” he said.

“Act with integrity so that you earn the trust of your patients and colleagues, while supporting one another in discovery, service, and compassion.”

The Dean of the Medical School, Dr Sylvester Yaw Oppong, led the new students in reciting the matriculation oath. He reminded them that medicine is both a science and an art.

“Patients may forget the treatments you prescribe,” he noted, “but they will never forget the compassion, respect, and dignity with which you treat them.”

At the White Coat Ceremony, Dr Oppong further encouraged students to wear the coat with pride and humility, mindful of the responsibility and joy that come with serving humanity.

Delivering the keynote address on the theme “A Charter to Chart New Frontiers in Medicine: A Journey of Purpose and Excellence,” Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, commended FHU’s leadership for attaining charter status, placing it among Ghana’s fully recognised higher educational institutions.

Prof Yawson emphasised that this milestone comes with greater responsibility to raise standards in medical education, expand research capacity, and strengthen partnerships locally and internationally.

He challenged FHU to embrace modern, student-centred teaching methods and harness science, technology, and innovation to address pressing health needs.

“Begin your journey with clarity of purpose—not only to succeed academically, but to serve humanity as skilled professionals, ethical leaders, and compassionate healers. Embrace excellence in study, in character, and in patient care.”

Representing the new cohort, Rosemary Ewurabena Essien encouraged her colleagues to balance academic commitments with self-care, set clear boundaries to protect their study time, and build strong support networks.

The Chairman of the FHU Council, Brigadier General Daniel Kwadwo Frimpong (Rtd), also advised students to be disciplined, punctual, and committed to teamwork throughout their training.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Susu Bridget Kwawukume, Co-Founder of FHU and Chief Medical Director of Family Health Hospital; Dr Patience Aniteye, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery; Dr Rebecca Acaquaah-Arhin, Medical Coordinator at Family Health Hospital; heads of departments, faculty members, administrative staff and guardians.

The Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) at Family Health University provides a pathway for degree holders in science-related fields to pursue the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree.

Through this programme, FHU continues its mission of training doctors to combine academic excellence with compassion, service, and leadership in the health sector.





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