KNUST Vice-Chancellor advocates shift from Diploma to BSc in Specialised Health Training

The Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Christian Agyare, has urged a shift from diploma to Bachelor of Science (BSc) programmes in specialised health disciplines to address the nation’s growing need for skilled healthcare workers. He emphasized that rising healthcare demands, medical advancements, and the rising need for specialized care necessitate a reevaluation of how Ghana’s health workforce is educated.

“This presents a significant opportunity and an urgent responsibility for us to rethink our approach to training the health workforce for the future,” Agyare stated. Addressing the 13th Graduation Ceremony of Affiliate Ministry of Health Training Institutions in Kumasi, where over 24,000 diplomas were awarded to graduates from 76 institutions nationwide, Agyare highlighted KNUST’s expertise in Health and Allied Sciences as an ideal partner for the Ministry of Health Training Institutions to develop and implement BSc programmes.

He stressed the necessity of transitioning from diploma-level training to BSc education in specialized areas, outlining the need for a defined framework and implementation strategy to guide this shift. According to Agyare, this transition will enhance the professional skills of healthcare workers and bolster the health sector’s ability to tackle emerging and increasingly complex health issues.

He reaffirmed KNUST’s dedication to strengthening its collaboration with the Ministry of Health and affiliate institutions to enhance health professional education, training, and continuous professional development. Agyare noted the reconstitution of the MoH/KNUST Steering Committee in March 2026, with co-chairs Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Desmond Boateng, and Dean of the KNUST School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Veronica Dzomeku.

He pledged KNUST’s ongoing support through staff development, quality assurance, curriculum development, and academic cooperation to elevate the standard of health professional education across 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 heart of our efforts," he asserted.

Agyare addressed the graduates, urging them to approach their careers with competence, integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, underscoring that healthcare is fundamentally about serving humanity. "Where resources are scarce, professionalism must not be scarce; where conditions are challenging, compassion must not be challenging; and where hope seems to be diminishing, you must become a beacon of hope," he advised.

He reminded the graduates that their diplomas symbolize not just academic success but also a lifelong dedication to continuous learning, integrity, and service to society.