GMA Volta chair urges young doctors to embrace rural service with purpose – Nsemkeka
The Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Med Kweku Appiagyei, has issued a heartfelt call to young doctors and dentists across the country to consider the Volta and Oti regions as promising destinations for professional growth, mentorship, and meaningful impact.
Delivering the keynote address at the GMA Volta and Oti Regional Dinner and Awards Night on Saturday, 7 June, in Ho, Dr Appiagyei described the regions as fertile ground for building fulfilling medical careers beyond the traditional pull of urban centres.
“Opportunities abound here. We have a supportive professional community with experienced seniors who are ready to guide, coach, and mentor the next generation. The Volta and Oti regions offer more than just jobs; they offer a path to purpose-driven practice,” he said.
Reframing the Rural Narrative
Dr Appiagyei’s message challenged long-standing assumptions that peripheral regions are professionally limiting. Instead, he painted a picture of regions on the rise—where infrastructure is improving, professional collaboration is strong, and a culture of mentorship is driving growth.
“This is not just about filling vacancies. It’s about building leaders. We need passionate young doctors who are not only clinically competent but committed to shaping the future of healthcare where it’s needed most,” he emphasised.
He noted that the GMA is intensifying efforts to institutionalise mentoring and peer support as part of a broader strategy to attract and retain young talent in the regions.
Renewing Purpose Amidst Challenges
Against the backdrop of brain drain and low morale among healthcare professionals, Dr Appiagyei called for a renewed sense of duty and professional pride.
“Let us remember that we are here because of our patients. Their welfare should be the reason we strive for better every day. When patients are satisfied—when they receive dignified care—that is when we, as professionals, truly succeed,” he said.
He urged his colleagues to uphold the highest standards of medical ethics and professionalism regardless of their location, adding that trust and integrity must remain the bedrock of the profession.
A Call to the Next Generation
Dr Appiagyei also addressed a wider audience of medical graduates, interns, and young consultants nationwide, urging them to see rural service as a noble, rewarding choice—not a career compromise.
“We need to change the mindset that fulfilment in medicine only comes from working in big hospitals in the capital. Here in the Volta and Oti regions, we have stories of transformation, impact, and innovation. These are regions of hope and possibility,” he stated.
Honouring Excellence
The evening also celebrated exceptional contributions to healthcare in the region. The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) received the prestigious Organisational Excellence Award for its remarkable role in improving maternal health, training, and healthcare infrastructure in the Volta Region.
The awards ceremony underscored the shared mission of healthcare delivery—uniting professionals, partners, and policymakers in the pursuit of lasting change.
Looking Ahead
Dr Appiagyei closed with a stirring message to aspiring doctors: “If you want to grow, serve with passion, and be mentored by people who care, come to the Volta and Oti regions. Here, you won’t just practise medicine—you’ll shape the future of healthcare in Ghana.”
As his words echoed through the Sky Plus Hotel banquet hall, they left more than inspiration—they cast a vision of purposeful practice and a legacy built on service.