Mahama confirms UGMC handover to University of Ghana as transition plan enters fnal stage

The government is moving ahead with plans to return the management of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) to the University of Ghana after a committee tasked with reviewing the proposal completed its work and submitted its recommendations.

President John Dramani Mahama announced that the government had accepted the committee's report and would now develop a transition roadmap to guide what could become one of the most significant governance changes in Ghana's public health sector in recent years.

Speaking at a congregation ceremony at the University of Ghana on Saturday, Mr Mahama said the transfer would be carefully managed to ensure continuity in healthcare delivery while restoring the institution's original vision.

"The committee that was established to review the matter has submitted its report and government has noted the recommendations therein. The next step is the presentation of a transition roadmap for execution," the President said.

The University of Ghana Medical Centre, one of West Africa's most modern specialist hospitals, was originally conceived as the teaching hospital for the University of Ghana but has, since its commissioning, operated under government management.

The planned transfer is expected to bring the hospital back under the university's stewardship, allowing it to function more closely with the university's medical education and research programmes.

President Mahama said restoring the university's control would enable UGMC to fulfil its founding mandate as a centre of excellence in specialist healthcare, medical research and postgraduate training.

"We remain committed to restoring the university's stewardship of the medical centre," he told graduates and faculty members.

The announcement signals the government's intention to deepen collaboration between higher education and healthcare, with policymakers arguing that stronger university oversight could improve specialist training, innovation and clinical research.

Government renews higher education pledge

Beyond the UGMC transition, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration's commitment to expanding access to tertiary education.

He said the government's "No Fee Stress" initiative was designed to remove financial barriers that prevent qualified students from entering university.

"Education should never be determined by the size of one's pocket, but by the strength of one's knowledge and potential," he said.

The President added that the government would continue investing in universities, research, innovation and digital infrastructure, describing education as central to Ghana's long-term economic competitiveness.

"Our responsibility as government is to create an environment in which talent can flourish," he said.

Graduates urged to help build Ghana

Mr Mahama encouraged graduates to apply their education to solving national challenges rather than seeking opportunities solely abroad.

While acknowledging that many graduates may pursue further studies or careers overseas, he urged them to return with new knowledge and expertise to contribute to Ghana's development.

"Society will judge your success not merely by the knowledge you possess, but by the problems you solve with that knowledge," he said.

Nearly 1,900 graduate

The ceremony saw 1,884 students graduate, including 156 PhD recipients, 1,429 Master's degree holders and 298 undergraduate students.

The University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah-Amfo, congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold the institution's values of excellence, integrity and public service.

She said graduates now carried the responsibility of representing the University of Ghana throughout their professional lives while contributing to national and global development.

The government's forthcoming transition roadmap is expected to outline how responsibility for the country's flagship medical centre will be transferred from the state to the University of Ghana, including governance arrangements and timelines for implementation.