President Mahama inducted as a grand patron of West Africa College of surgeons

President Mahama Inducted as Grand Patron of West Afr

President John Dramani Mahama was today inducted as the Grand Patron of the 66th Annual Conference of the West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS) in Accra.

The College conferred the honour in recognition of the President’s longstanding support for its work and for healthcare delivery across the sub-region. The induction ceremony featured the presentation of a plaque and a certificate to President Mahama.

The conference is being held under the theme “Capacity Building in Surgery.”

In his acceptance remarks, President Mahama praised surgeons for their dedication to what he described as a life-saving profession essential to national development. He stated that the conference theme was apt, emphasizing that continuous skills development is crucial for surgeons to meet evolving healthcare demands.

“Capacity building is not only about producing more surgeons,” President Mahama said. “It is equally about strengthening the teams and systems that support safe surgery, including anesthesia, nursing, diagnostics, blood services, sterile supply chains, critical care, and reliable referral pathways.”

The President also highlighted the importance of inclusion, naming gender equity as a key pillar for sustainable health systems. “Gender equity in surgical training and leadership is not only a matter of fairness, but also a practical necessity for stronger and more resilient health systems,” he added.

While acknowledging the importance of building capacity, President Mahama expressed concern over the increasing migration of health professionals seeking opportunities abroad, a trend he said continues to strain local health systems. He called for deliberate measures to address the challenge.

“Our response must include improving working conditions, strengthening career pathways, enhancing professional recognition, and creating environments in which health workers can thrive and choose to serve,” he stated. “At the same time, we must develop structured avenues to engage the expertise of professionals in the diaspora.”

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare foundations, President Mahama assured conference participants that recommendations from the event would be carefully studied. He pledged government collaboration with stakeholders to implement urgent proposals and to develop structured pathways for longer-term reforms.

The WACS conference brings together surgical professionals from across West Africa to discuss advancements and challenges in the field.