The University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS) has once again achieved the first position at a competition recently held at KNUST.
UCCSMS was represented by Abigail Naa Ayeley Harding and Araba Abakah Fordjour.
The competition, sponsored by St. Patricks University Hospital and St. John of God Development Company both in Ireland in collaboration with the Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland is aimed at encouraging medical students to take up psychiatry as a specialty and raise awareness of mental health. The competition was held for the third time since 2010.
The Chairperson for this year’s competition which was the third since its inception was the Provost of College of Health Sciences, KNUST, Prof. Agbenaza. The Judges were: Prof. J. B. Asare (Chairperson of the newly constituted Mental Health Board) Dr. Mark Roberts (Head of the Kintampo Project); Dr. Addai (Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, KNUST).
Prof. Sarkodie (Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST) and Dr. Akwesi Osei (Chief Psychiatrist) were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
The theme for the competition was ‘Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current mental health care system and suggest improvements or propose a new mental health model if you think the current one is not good enough’.
The competition was held at the Central Classroom Block Auditorium of the College of Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi.
In the competition, the UCC representatives dazzled the judges with their confidence, knowledge, humility and control which culminated in their achieving the first position.
The full results were as follows:
UCCSMS – 170
UGMS – 137
KNUST SMS – 130
UDS – 117
For their prize, the winners will undertake a fully sponsored elective placement in Psychiatry at the St. Patricks University Hospital, Dublin.
The winners led by the Dean of UCCSMS, Prof. H. S. Amonoo-Kuofi, and the Coordinator for Mental Health, Mr. Christian Ackom presented the trophy to the Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Council, His Lordship Justice A. K. B. Ampiah (Rtd).
The competition will be hosted next year by UCC.
