The University of Health and Allied Sciences Alumni Association has successfully held its second annual Alumni Lecture, featuring a historic homecoming of an alumnus as the keynote speaker this time round.
The event, held under the theme “Revolutionising Sports Medicine in Ghana: A Multi-faceted Approach,” highlighted the growing importance of specialised healthcare in sports.
In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS Professor Lydia Aziato emphasised the strategic importance of the university’s programs in sports medicine. “Today’s topic is very relevant to the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine,” she stated. “We are not training people to become footballers or physical education teachers.
We are training healthcare professionals who can take care of people within the sports space.”
Professor Aziato elaborated on the comprehensive nature of the training, stating that it covers “prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and other illnesses related to physical activity.” She emphasised the practical competencies being developed: “When something happens on the field – whether it’s an emergency, a fracture, muscle injury, or joint injury – our graduates will know what to do as sports and exercise medicine professionals.”
The keynote address was delivered by the Managing Director of MSc Sports & Exercise Science, Dr. Eric Tetteh Ayertey, who marked a significant milestone as the first UHAS alumnus to serve as keynote speaker. Dr. Ayertey echoed the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments, describing his return as a “homecoming” and emphasising that sports medicine sits “at the heart of Ghana’s sporting fortunes and Ghana’s future.”
In his trailblasing presentation, Dr. Ayertey expanded on the scope of sports medicine, stating that “Sport and Exercise Medicine is not simply about treating injuries. It is the very scientific foundation of athletic performance and community well-being.”
The highlight of his address focused on his pioneering work in anti-doping, where he developed African football’s first anti-doping manual for U15 players and created the CAF Anti-Doping Ambassador Program. “I’m happy to see our youth athletes now equipped with knowledge of what to take and what not to take,” he noted, ensuring their performance isn’t “short-chained by taking substances that will affect their well-being.”
The event was chaired by Mama Bobi III, Queen of Bake, Ho Bankoe, Asogli State. Mama Bobi III, commended the Alumni Association for creating platforms that “expand not only knowledge but also our imagination about what is possible for Ghana’s health and sports sectors.”
The Special Guest of Honour, Mr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Member of the Council of State, represented by a delegation, demonstrated strong support for the initiative with a donation of GHC10,000 to the Alumni Lecture series.
Mr. Gabriel Agbanyo, UHAS Alumni President, celebrated the university’s growth in “stature, confidence, and tradition,” while calling for collective resolve to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The lecture attracted faculty, staff, students, alumni and healthcare professionals, reinforcing UHAS’s commitment to advancing specialised healthcare education in Ghana and positioning sports medicine as a critical component of national health and sports development.
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