ACCRA, Ghana, 10 February: The nine-member transition committee inaugurated on July 8, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama to oversee the return of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) to the management of the University of Ghana has submitted its final report to the President.
The committee, co-chaired by Professor Aaron Lawson and Professor Mutawakilu Iddrissu, was mandated to complete its work within three months. On Tuesday, February 10, the team presented its report, outlining a roadmap for a seamless transition, with particular emphasis on integrating clinical services with academic research and medical training.
Receiving the report, President Mahama commended the committee for its dedication and professionalism in executing the assignment.
“I want to thank the committee for the diligence with which you have approached the task that you were given. And for completing that task and presenting your report to us. The University of Ghana Medical Center is our highest quaternary medical facility in this country. Indeed it is of world class standard. And we want to see it maintain that standard both in terms of clinical care and in terms of logistics and equipment. And so we want to find the best path in which we can maintain the hospital at the standard in which it is,” he said.
The President reiterated that the original vision behind the establishment of UGMC was to position it as a world-class centre for research, learning, and advanced medical care under the University of Ghana. He noted that government would carefully study the report and submit it to Cabinet for consideration before outlining the specific steps toward full transition.
“And of course, like I said, the intention of building the hospital was to create it as a world class center of research and learning for the University of Ghana. And so I’m happy that you have completed and presented this report. And we’re looking to study the report and we’ll take it to cabinet for discussion. And once cabinet takes a decision and adopts the report, we will itemize what the steps are towards an eventual full transition of the hospital into the service of the university. And so let me thank the committee very much for this presentation. And I don’t know if your work was gratis, but if it was, your reward is in heaven,” he said.
During the meeting, Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, also took the opportunity to comment on the ongoing strike action by senior staff of public universities and members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
“Mr. President, at the time that you are meeting the University of Ghana and academia, I understand that there’s some ongoing strike action. Let me use the opportunity to call on our friends in academia that while President Mahama is honoring his word, he’s giving you unfettered what the constitution guarantees as academic freedom. He’s giving it to you absolute, that he will not interfere with the freedom of the university. I do not think that we are reciprocating the gesture kind enough of President Mahama. So may I use this opportunity to call on the striking senior staff members and members of UTAG to call off the strike action,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu acknowledged that the concerns raised by the striking staff were legitimate, particularly with regard to pension payments and retirement provisions.
“Understandably, you have two legitimate issues. One, outstanding payment of tier two pensions. That has been done partly. We inherited about one billion. As of this afternoon, the comptroller had paid about 396 million Ghana Cedis, leaving about 600. And that is also in process. The President and I met with the Honorable Minister for Finance and Comptroller. And we agreed to work the process to get it done. On the other matter, Mr. President, I will be coming back to you on the retirement. Pay the provisions of the constitution on the retirement age of 60. And allowing those of them in academia to be able to end their academic calendar without any disruption. For which senior members of the university are requesting same.”
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭