The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has officially opened the 66th Annual Conference of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), setting a bold agenda for the future of healthcare across the sub-region.
Addressing a distinguished gathering of surgeons, medical experts, and stakeholders, President Mahama issued a clarion call for “urgent and sustained investment” in surgical infrastructure and human resources to bridge the critical gap in healthcare delivery.
During his keynote address, President Mahama highlighted that surgical care is often the “neglected stepchild” of global health, despite being a fundamental pillar of a functioning health system. He emphasized that improving health outcomes across West Africa is impossible without a deliberate focus on surgical capacity.
“We must move beyond basic healthcare to specialized care that saves lives on the operating table,” the President stated.
He urged West African nations to allocate more resources toward training specialist surgeons and equipping hospitals with modern surgical technology.
The conference, which brings together the brightest minds in surgery from across the continent, serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and setting new standards for the profession. President Mahama commended WACS for its 66 years of excellence in training and certifying surgeons who serve millions across the region.
The President noted that the lack of access to safe and affordable surgery remains a major cause of disability and premature death in West Africa. He called for a collaborative regional approach to ensure that even the most remote communities have access to life-saving procedures.
President Mahama’s address at the 66th WACS Conference reinforces his administration’s commitment to transforming Ghana into a medical hub for West Africa. By investing in surgical capacity, he argued, the region can reduce the need for medical tourism and build a self-reliant healthcare ecosystem.
“Our people deserve world-class care at home,” Mahama concluded. “Through sustained investment and the dedication of the West African College of Surgeons, we can turn this vision into a reality.”
