The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Christian Agyare, has called for a deliberate transition from diploma to Bachelor of Science (BSc) programmes in specialised health-related fields to meet the country’s growing demand for highly skilled health professionals.
According to him, the increasing complexity of healthcare needs, advances in medical practice and the growing demand for specialised care require a rethink of how the nation’s health workforce is trained.
“This presents an important opportunity and an urgent responsibility for us to rethink how we prepare our health workforce for the future,” he said.
Prof. Agyare made the call at the 13th Graduation Ceremony of Affiliate Ministry of Health Training Institutions in Kumasi, where diplomas were conferred on more than 24,000 graduates from 76 affiliate colleges across the country.
He noted that KNUST, with its established capacity in Health and Allied Sciences, is strategically positioned to support the Ministry of Health Training Institutions to develop and deliver BSc programmes in specialised areas.
“We must therefore move deliberately from diploma-level training towards BSc education in specialised fields,” he stressed, calling for a clear framework and implementation roadmap to guide the transition.
Prof. Agyare said the shift would not only enhance the professional competencies of health workers but also strengthen the health sector’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging and increasingly complex health challenges.
He reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and affiliate institutions to strengthen health professional education, training and continuous professional development.
He disclosed that the MoH/KNUST Steering Committee was reconstituted in March 2026 to provide strategic leadership and oversight for the partnership. The Committee is co-chaired by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Desmond Boateng, and the Dean of the KNUST School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Veronica Dzomeku.
Prof. Agyare said KNUST will continue to support the affiliate institutions through staff development, quality assurance, curriculum development and academic collaboration to improve the quality of health professional education in the country.
“The Ministry cannot do it alone. KNUST cannot do it alone. The Training Institutions cannot do it alone. Our strength lies in working together, maintaining high standards, and putting the student and the patient at the centre of what we do,” he noted.
Charge to Graduands
Prof. Agyare charged the graduands to approach their professional careers with competence, integrity, compassion and a strong sense of responsibility, reminding them that healthcare is fundamentally about service to humanity.
“Where resources are limited, professionalism must not be limited; where circumstances are difficult, compassion must not be difficult; and where hope appears to be fading, you must become a source of hope,” he said.
He reminded them that their certificates represent not only academic achievement but also a lifelong commitment to continuous learning, integrity and service to humanity.
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