Entrance University of Health Sciences Holds Maiden Graduation for First Batch of PharmD Students

In what can only be described as a historic and inspiring moment, the Entrance University of Health Sciences has held its maiden graduation ceremony, celebrating the first cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students since its establishment in 2018. 

A total of 34 graduates were conferred with PharmD degrees in a colourful ceremony marked by reflection, gratitude, and a vision for the future.

The Founder and Chancellor of the University, Nana Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, stood tall as he addressed the gathering with pride, declaring the occasion “a dream come true.” 

Dr. Tobbin encouraged the graduates to “dream big and possess the nations,” urging them to overcome obstacles with resilience and faith. “What you see today,” he said, “is a dream I dreamed some years back. And by the grace of God, He has nurtured it into what you can see today.”

The event also marked the University’s first graduation since receiving a Presidential Charter in December 2024, transitioning from a university college affiliated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) into a fully-fledged autonomous institution. 

In his presidential address, Prof. Aaron Lante Lawson, President of the University, described the journey as one of “resilience, growth, and transformation.”

“We began modestly, under the mentorship of KNUST, with just 42 students. Today, our Doctor of Pharmacy programme is oversubscribed, and we have expanded into new areas,” – Prof. Lawson said. 

He announced the introduction of three new programmes—Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Dentistry, and Bachelor of Nursing—positioning Entrance University as the first private institution in Ghana to concurrently establish medical and dental schools.

The University’s attachment of its School of Pharmacy to the renowned Entrance Pharmaceuticals and Research Centre, a leading producer of pharmaceuticals in West Africa, offers students a unique blend of academic learning and practical experience. 

“This academia-industry model places our students at the cutting edge of healthcare training in Africa,” Prof. Lawson emphasized.

Chancellor Amo Tobbin was applauded for single-handedly financing major infrastructural developments on campus, including state-of-the-art laboratories, simulation centres, libraries, and a brand new dental hospital. 

“We’re equipping our students not just with knowledge, but with the best environment to learn, experiment and lead,” – Prof. Lawson said.

He also announced the acquisition of two new vehicles, upgraded digital infrastructure, and bold plans for international collaboration with universities in Canada, Malaysia, and Australia. A faculty development drive is also underway, with some of the current graduates expected to be sponsored for postgraduate studies.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson extended warm congratulations to the graduates and lauded Entrance University’s rapid development and charter acquisition. “Your achievements are a testament to visionary leadership and academic excellence. KNUST will continue to support Entrance University as a partner in health sciences education,” she said.

Touching on the theme “My Health, My Right: Positioning the Health Profession Towards Universal Coverage”, the keynote address emphasized the need for health professionals to be agents of change in tackling inequalities in healthcare access. 

“The right to health is not a privilege for the few—it is a fundamental human right,” the address noted. Graduates were urged to advocate for equitable policies and lead efforts to ensure universal healthcare coverage.

As the 34 new doctors of pharmacy walked across the stage, robed in triumph and anticipation, it became clear that this was not just the graduation of individuals—it was the birth of a new era for health education in Ghana. 

The Entrance University of Health Sciences is not just training professionals; it is nurturing leaders, innovators, and nation-builders.

From its humble beginnings to this grand milestone, the University has proven that with vision, dedication, and the right partnerships, Ghana can be a beacon of excellence in healthcare education.

Congratulations to the pioneers of PharmD at Entrance University. Your journey begins now.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Ebenezer Madugu.