Ghanaian medical graduate Dr Richard Owusu Nyarko recognised for outstanding achievements

Dr Richard Owusu Nyarko, a Ghanaian medical graduate, achieves academic excellence and recognition after completing his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) programme at the Gambia campus of a leading American university.

After a year of dedicated commitment to his professional Doctorate of Medicine (MD) programme at the Gambia campus of the American International University College of Medicine, followed by his return to Ghana to authenticate his medical qualifications, Dr Richard Owusu Nyarko has received a prestigious invitation.

Dated September 8, 2023, and bearing the signatures of the registrar and director of administration of his medical school, the official letter extends an invitation to Dr Nyarko as one of the distinguished awardees in a special academic awards programme organised by the college of medicine.

Dr Nyarko’s academic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Graduating magna cum laude, he secured the top position in his year group with grade A distinctions in a range of medical disciplines, including gross human anatomy, human physiology, embryology, histology, neuroscience, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and behavioural science, paediatrics and child health, and general surgery – all qualifications authenticated by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.

A glowing letter of recommendation, signed by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Makie Taal, further praises Dr Nyarko, highlighting his status as the valedictorian of his year group. The recommendation lauds his high intelligence, analytical skills, maturity, dedication, and proficiency in applying himself, which earned him stellar ratings from his peers.

Dr Richard Owusu Nyarko hails from Bekwai in the Ashanti region of Ghana, and his parents, Gifty Adjei Boateng and Yaw Owusu Boateng, have had significant roles within their community. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he completed his basic education at Holy Child School in Obuasi with distinction.

Later, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the Presbyterian University College in Ghana, thanks to a full scholarship from Knatto Complex Limited.

Dedication and hard work earned Dr Nyarko a sponsorship for his master’s degree in health care management/MBA in 2014, a joint programme between the Ghana Technology University College (now Ghana Communication Technology University) and Cass Europe Institute of Management Studies in Luxembourg.

Following these achievements, Dr. Richard Owusu Nyarko embarked on a journey to become a medical doctor. With support from Raymond Amedior, he pursued a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBChB) in Ghana and later ventured to the American International University College of Medicine for the USA track Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme.

Dr Nyarko is not only a qualified medical doctor but also a distinguished health science researcher and a university lecturer in Ghana. He is also the first African to qualify and be admitted as a diplomate of the American Professional Wound Care Association and a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists.

His impressive academic record boasts around 30 peer-reviewed publications in health and life sciences, accessible on platforms such as ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and academia.edu. Currently, he is diligently working on the final stages of his PhD thesis.

Dr. Richard Owusu Nyarko’s unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with his trust in the divine, has led him to pursue postgraduate medical and surgical residency/specialty training across Europe, South, and East Africa following the completion of his Doctor of Medicine programme.

His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring medical professionals and scholars alike, showcasing the power of determination and perseverance in achieving academic and professional success.