Radiographers call for enhanced training and curriculum reforms

The President of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR), Dr Prince Rockson, has stressed the need for improved human resource capacity and enhanced training for radiography professionals to meet evolving global healthcare standards.

Speaking at the Hariet Duah inter-school quiz competition and the celebration of the 130th World Radiography Day in Accra over the weekend, Dr Rockson said that as medical imaging advances rapidly, Ghana requires highly trained professionals across specialized areas to deliver safe and efficient patient care.

It was on the home page; “Celebrating the Power of Medical Imaging and the Radiographer behind the Image.”

He noted that the current four-year radiography training in the country falls short of the level required to achieve imaging excellence.

According to him, some institutions have introduced pseudo-specializations at the first-degree level, a situation he described as inadequate for producing competent specialists.

“The Ghana Society of Radiographers hopes that radiography institutions in Ghana urgently develop a harmonized curriculum in collaboration with the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission,” he said.

Dr Rockson, who is also Togbe Kpegba Agbakpe I, Afetorfia of Taviefe Sreme, explained that such a move would pave the way for the recommended six-year radiography training system proposed by the West African Health Organization (WAHO).

He added that graduates from this advanced training structure will form the foundation for postgraduate specialization.

Dr Rockson said higher-level professionals would then be able to specialize in areas such as modality-specific imaging, image interpretation, research, teaching, administration, and other radiological sub-fields.

Touching on the significance of ongoing technological improvement in the profession, the GSR President said radiography continues to play a pivotal role in global medical practice and will remain crucial in shaping healthcare delivery in the years to come.

He also highlighted the invisible and sometimes potentially harmful nature of X-rays when improperly applied stressing that trained radiographers are required to carefully assess the risks, frequency, and dosage of radiation to ensure accurate diagnoses with minimal risk to patients.

A member of the Council of Elders of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR) and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor William Antwi, paid tribute to the global radiography profession as Ghana joined the world to mark World Radiography Day.

He said the celebration honours Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, whose discovery of X-rays transformed medical practice, and recognizes radiographers whose work continues to save lives across Ghana and beyond.

Professor Antwi noted that radiographers play a crucial role in healthcare, turning invisible rays into life-saving diagnostic images. “Every image we create brings clarity, supports healing, and saves lives. We are not just operators of machines; we are guardians of vision, partners in diagnosis, and pillars of modern healthcare,” he stated.

Prof Antwi explained that the work of radiographers goes beyond imaging, describing it as illumination, since every scan reveals information hidden to the naked eye and guides critical medical decisions saying that radiographers’ efforts provide patients and clinicians with instruments of hope.

He commended Ghanaian radiographers for their resilience and professionalism in the face of challenges related to resource and technological constraints, adding that they continue to deliver quality service to hospitals and communities across the country.

Prof Antwi urged professionals to recommit to continuous learning, ethical conduct, teamwork, and mentorship to sustain the growth of the profession.

He emphasized the need to build a strong foundation for the next generation of radiographers to ensure continuous improvement in imaging services.

“As we celebrate, let us nurture future practitioners with passion, ensuring that the light of our profession never dims. Together, we imagine the future of healthcare one patient, one scan, one act of service at a time,” he added.

On his part, the National Organiser of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR) and Director of Allied Health Services at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, George Nunoo, commend​ed the growth of the radiography profession in Ghana as the country joined the world to mark World Radiography Day.

He said the Day offers an opportunity to honour radiographers globally and to reflect on their contributions to healthcare delivery. In Ghana, he noted, the celebrations focused on bringing professionals and students together through a quiz competition, professional engagement, and an assessment of the state of radiography education.

“This marks our seventh event. We have previously held similar activities in Cape Coast and at the University of Ghana Medical Centre,” he said. “Our goal is to unite radiography students from diverse backgrounds so they understand each other’s fields and align with global standards.”

He observed that radiography in Ghana had progressed significantly, moving from basic machine operators to highly trained specialists, including PhD holders such as the current GSR President. The perception of radiographers, he added, has evolved as the profession expands into advanced imaging areas.

According to Nunoo, the future of radiography in Ghana is promising, with more practitioners specializing in modalities such as MRI, CT, and interventional radiography.

He highlighted emerging fields such as cardiac CT and cardiac MRI, explaining that although cardiac MRI remains rare in Ghana, it is crucial for early detection of cardiovascular diseases.

Radiographers, he said, play an essential role in supporting doctors to identify and manage heart conditions through advanced imaging.

He encouraged radiographers to pursue further training and higher qualifications to keep pace with medical technology. “X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI are important, but we must continue to elevate our practice and advance as a profession,” he added.

World Radiography Day, marked globally on November 8, commemorates the discovery of X-rays by Professor Conrad Roentgen in 1895, a breakthrough that revolutionized medical practice.

The annual event emphasizes the important role of radiographers and promotes quality, safety, technological innovation, and public awareness of medical imaging.

The Ghana Society of Radiographers, the professional body for diagnostic radiographers, radiation therapists, and sonographers, continues to champion improved standards in radiological practice as part of its commitment to public health and professional advancement.

At the end of the Hariet Duah inter-school quiz competition, the University of Ghana emerged victorious and received the championship trophy.