On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the University of Ghana School of Pharmacy organised a White Coat Ceremony for the third Cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy Level 500 students to mark their transition from pre-clinical to clinical years of training under the theme: Prescription for Change: Reimagining Healthcare.

In a welcome address, the Dean, Prof. Isaac Julius Asiedu-Gyekye noted that as students of the prestigious University of Ghana School of Pharmacy, they have been equipped with a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences and a world-class education. He was therefore confident that the students will excel in their clinical practice and uphold the enviable standard set by their predecessors - the first batch of PharmD students who attained outstanding success by producing the overall best candidate in the November 2024 qualifying examination organized by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana.

Delivering the Keynote address, Dr. Ruby Aileen Mensah Annan, Director, Strategic Health Purchasing - National Health Insurance Authority, urged the students to remember that the white coat is not just a symbol of professionalism but also a reminder of the oath taken to uphold the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and patient care.

On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix A. Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for  Research, Innovation and Development (RID)  in an address, asserted that the University of Ghana is committed to equipping students with the best education and training possible. 

Pharmacy, as a profession, is evolving rapidly. The landscape of healthcare is changing, and so too are the roles and expectations of pharmacists. He therefore charged the students to be innovative, adaptable, and forward-thinking as they integrate new technologies, therapies, and approaches to patient care. 

“As future pharmacists, you are at the heart of the healthcare system. You are the bridge between doctors and patients, between science and practice. Your expertise will not only help in the treatment of illness but also in the prevention of diseases” the Pro VC declared. 

The ceremony was graced by several dignitaries including the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Edwin Alfred Yawson, Deans, Directors, Members of Faculty and Staff, Alumni, Students, Sponsors, Donors, Preceptors, Partners, and the Media.

As part of the ceremony, the School presented citations  to selected individuals and organizations for their unwavering support in advancing pharmaceutical education and professional development. 

The recipients included Dr. Florence Amah Nkansah, a preceptor at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital; Nana Dr. Michael Agyekum Addo (Posthumous) for serving as a distinguished part-time lecturer from 2013 to 2016; and SENES Pharmaceuticals Limited, a key sponsor of the SOP White Coat Ceremony since 2023 and a consistent sponsor of academic excellence via the Best Prize for Pharmacology and Toxicology.