The Ministry of Health has said specialist pharmacists are indispensable to improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening community-level healthcare delivery.
According to the ministry, specialised pharmacy training would equip pharmacists with advanced knowledge and skills needed to provide expert care, support policy development, improve access to medicines and enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Ghana College of Pharmacists in Accra, the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafiz Adams Tahid, said the conference theme, “Specialised Pharmacy Training: A Key Tool for Attaining Quality Primary Health Care”, was in line with the government's commitment to ensuring quality health care for all Ghanaians.
Strengthening primary healthcare
Dr Tahid explained that the government's quality free primary healthcare initiative sought to make advanced healthcare services available at the community level, thereby reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
He said community pharmacists remained the first point of contact for many people seeking health care, and that specialised training would empower them to provide more advanced services and counselling within their communities.
He further disclosed that the government, through the Ghana Medical Grant Fund, had earmarked 100 pharmacists for specialist training to support the development of a highly skilled pharmaceutical workforce.
Dr Tahid also highlighted the government's PharmaCase Initiative, a programme being implemented under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama to support the training of specialist pharmacists and strengthen pharmaceutical services nationwide.
He said the initiative formed part of broader efforts to build healthcare capacity and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Support for college
The President of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), Joseph Kojo Nsiah, said the association would continue to pursue measures aimed at strengthening the college.
He announced plans to engage the Pharmacy Council on proposals that would enable the college to benefit from Continuing Professional Development programmes used in the renewal of pharmacists' licences.
Mr Nsiah also proposed that selected community pharmacies, particularly in the regions, be given opportunities to facilitate training programmes for fellows and members of the college.
Charge to graduates
As part of the conference, 29 candidates, 24 women and five men, were inducted into the membership of the Ghana College of Pharmacists.
Congratulating the new members, the Rector of the Ghana College of Pharmacists, Yvonne Yirenkyiwaa Esseku encouraged them to continually update their knowledge and skills to meet the evolving needs of patients and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of healthcare delivery in the country.
The Chairman of the College Council, Prof. Francis Ackah Armah, emphasised the importance of specialised pharmacy practice in areas such as clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, quality assurance, public health and social pharmacy.
He said specialised training remained essential to improving healthcare outcomes and ensuring the delivery of quality pharmaceutical services across the country.
