UHAS Alumni annual Lecture
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Alumni Association has successfully hosted its second annual Alumni Lecture, featuring a historic homecoming as an alumnus returned to deliver the keynote address.
The event, held under the theme “Revolutionizing Sports Medicine in Ghana: A Multi-Faceted Approach,” underscored the growing significance of specialized healthcare in sports.
In her welcome address, Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, emphasised the strategic importance of the university’s focus on sports medicine.
“Today's topic is very relevant to the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine,” she stated.
“We are not training people to become footballers or physical education teachers. We are training healthcare professionals who can take care of people within the sports space.”
Professor Aziato further highlighted the comprehensive nature of the training provided, noting that it covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses related to physical activity. She stressed the practical competencies being developed.
“When something happens on the field whether it is an emergency, a fracture, muscle injury, or joint injury our graduates will know what to do as sports and exercise medicine professionals.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Eric Tetteh Ayertey (MD, MSc Sports & Exercise Science), marking a major milestone as the first UHAS alumnus to serve as keynote speaker at the lecture series.
Describing his return as a “homecoming,” Dr Ayertey reiterated that sports medicine lies “at the heart of Ghana’s sporting fortunes and Ghana’s future.”
In his presentation, he expanded on the scope of sports medicine, stating that “Sport and Exercise Medicine is not simply about treating injuries. It is the very scientific foundation of athletic performance and community well-being.”
He also highlighted his pioneering work in anti-doping, including the development of African football’s first anti-doping manual for U-15 players and the creation of the CAF Anti-Doping Ambassador Program.
“I’m happy to see our youth athletes now equipped with knowledge of what to take and what not to take,” he noted, ensuring that their performance is not “short-chained by substances that will affect their well-being.”
The event was chaired by Mama Bobi III, Queen of Bake, Ho Bankoe, Asogli State, who commended the Alumni Association for creating platforms that “expand not only our knowledge but also our imagination about what is possible for Ghana’s health and sports sectors.”
The Special Guest of Honour Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Member of the Council of State, was represented by a delegation and demonstrated strong support for the initiative with a generous donation of GH¢ 10,000 to the Alumni Lecture series.
UHAS Alumni President, Gabriel Agbanyo, celebrated the university’s growth in “stature, confidence, and tradition,” while encouraging alumni and stakeholders to continue contributing meaningfully to national development.
The lecture attracted faculty, staff, students, alumni, and healthcare professionals, reinforcing UHAS's commitment to advancing specialized healthcare education in Ghana and positioning sports medicine as a vital component of national health and sports development.
The Alumni Association expressed profound gratitude to the following individuals and departments for their immense support:
Vice-Chancellor – Professor Lydia Aziato
Registrar – Miss Yaa Opuni Amankwa
Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Member of the Council of State
Mama Bobi III, Queen of Bake, Ho Bankoe
Dr Eric Tetteh Ayertey (MD, MSc Sports & Exercise Science)
School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM)
School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM) – UHAS, led by Professor Peter Adatara
Prof Elvis Tarkang, Dean, Office of International Programmes
Ghana Police Service – Brown Mercy Wilson, Head of DOVVSU
Ghana National Fire Service – ADO II Kley Dennis
Military Command of the Volta Region
Senior High School students in attendance
Public Affairs Directorate, UHAS – led by Anthony Asempah and Nana Baffour Darkwa
Members of the Local Organizing Committee
Representatives of the various Alumni Chapters
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