Ensign Global University challenges its new MPH graduates to drive global Public Health transformation

Ensign Global University recently honored 65 graduates who earned Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees, marking a significant achievement for the university on the 11th occasion of its graduation ceremony. The university is renowned for its rigorous public health education, having recently achieved accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), a prestigious United States-based accrediting body.

This is the first time an African institution has received such recognition, placing it alongside top-tier universities like Johns Hopkins in terms of public health program quality.

The university's graduates were challenged by Dr. Bob S. Carter, Executive Vice President and CEO of University of Utah Health, to leverage their education to address global public health issues, particularly in underserved populations. Dr. Carter emphasized the importance of identifying barriers to healthcare access and developing practical interventions to overcome them. He urged the graduates to expand their focus beyond traditional clinic visits to encompass those who remain unattended due to systemic barriers.

President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakitey II, highlighted pressing environmental and public health challenges in the Eastern Region, notably the impact of illegal mining on water sources and the availability of clean drinking water. He urged the new graduates to play a pivotal role in public health education, prevention, and advocacy, particularly focusing on communities affected by environmental degradation.

Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa, a renowned board member and pathologist, stressed the importance of sustained advocacy against illegal mining and the urgent need for public health professionals to address environmental pollution. He challenged the graduates to go beyond traditional markers of success, such as public recognition, and focus on tangible impacts like disease prevention and community transformation.

The university's graduates, known as Ensonians, are now set to join a network of highly skilled public health professionals committed to improving health outcomes across Ghana and Africa, as well as contributing to global public health efforts.