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PSGH President
Regional Director of Health Services,
Guests, Our media friends, Ladies
We have gathered once again:
• In fulfillment of our corporate
matters critical to moving
• To reflect on our collective
means to improve on our
race”.
• To examine how we can
“Pharmacy practice: O
practitioners, government
OPENING
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM
SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY
(PSGH), PHARM. THOMAS
APPIAGYEI TO THE
GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
PSGH AT EUSBETT
CONFERENCE CENTRE
BRONG AHAFO REGION
The Minister of Health,
Segbefia, Hon. Deputy
Minister of the Brong
Prof. Alex Dodoo
Speaker, Past Presidents,
PSGH, The Director of
Services of the Ministry
Chairman of the Pharmacy
President and Chairman
College of Pharmacists,
Governing Board of the
of the Pharmaceutical
Services, My Colleague Pharmacists of this Noble Profession,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
corporate and constitutional aspirations to deliberate
moving our Practice, our Society, and our Nation forward.
collective direction, review our performance, and
our core mandate as the “most trusted friends
can work towards improving patient safety outcomes.
Optimizing patient safety” is a clarion call
ment and all stakeholders to join forces, agree on
s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
PRESIDENT OF THE
SOCIETY OF GHANA
THOMAS BOATENG
2016 ANNUAL
(AGM) OF THE
INTERNATIONAL
CENTRE IN SUNYANI,
REGION
Health, Hon. Alex
Deputy Regional
Brong Ahafo Region,
our Thematic
Presidents, Fellows of the
of Pharmaceutical
Ministry of Health, The
Pharmacy Council, The
Chairman of the Ghana
Pharmacists, Members of the
the PSGH, Captains
Pharmaceutical Industry,
Profession, Invited
deliberate on issues and
forward.
and explore better
friends of the human
outcomes. Our theme,
call to the PSGH,
on clear objectives
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
and work towards ensuring that we achieve quality, cost-effective, sustainable patient
safety outcomes.
We have also gathered to re-unite as a family, take stock of our profession and practice, share
notes and best practices, and leave Sunyani as better professionals equipped to positively
impact our nation. This is what Ghanaians expect.
TENURE
Colleagues, one year ago, you entrusted me and my team with the mandate to lead our noble
Society. I promised you leadership that will address the pressing challenges while building the
foundations for a better, brighter, future for ourselves as practitioners, our practice and our
profession.
Last year I said this, and I will like to quote my own words:
“Our problems require VISIONARY STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP to confront. I, Thomas Boateng
Appiagyei, I am the first to admit they require more than two years or even four years to tackle.
That is why I propose the NEW OUTLOOK as the best way to tackle these. We must CREATE a
PROCESS to address these problems and many others in the long term. This process must begin
with transparent, selfless, measurable leadership in the PSGH... This is what I stand for and
believe in.
I, in consultation with my Governing Board, SEC and all practice, interest, regional groupings
and the general membership shall begin the DEVELOPMENT of a 10year Strategic Plan for the
PSGH. The aim of this PLAN (THE NEW OUTLOOK) will be:
To CREATE a defined future for the PROFESSION, the PRACTICE and the PRACTITIONER in the
next decade. To obtain our collective inputs and ownership of the plan as WHERE WE WANT TO
BE”.
In other words, it was creating the framework for our collective future through strategic
visionary leadership.
I promised you this plan will be the talking point of AGM 2016.
Today, I stand here humbled, happy, hopeful and absolutely confident.
I am humbled by your amazing show of goodwill, patience and support for me and my team.
I am happy that within the last 11months, we have tangible results as a sign of a future we
dreamt of.
I am hopeful that the foundations to a more secure future have been laid by the NEW
OUTLOOK and I am absolutely confident that we shall succeed.
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
The new outlook for Pharmacy was grounded on three key pillars: a respected profession, a
revered practice and reputed professionals. To achieve these, we had to lay certain strong,
fundamental basis upon which to build the vision. These included, broadly:
1. Restructure, resource and empower the National Secretariat with an enabling
environment to achieve results;
2. Develop a 10-year Strategic Plan for the Society;
3. Explore alternative sources of income generation for the Society;
4. Pursue the land title, review the next phase and recommence the Pharmacy Centre
Project;
5. Revise the AGM and align it to our goals;
6. Strengthen Practice Groups and Pharmacy Practice;
7. Recognize young pharmacists as a critical group for our Society’s future.
These broad themes, translate into the numerous projects, programs and plans we promised to
deliver. We promised to be more action-oriented, and focused on our objectives.
While we will have more time to examine and interrogate our tenure in the next two days, I am
greatly pleased to report that:
1. We have begun revising operations at the National Secretariat. The process is ongoing and
those who have visited the Society’s office lately will attest to this.
2. We have the final 10-year Strategic Plan of the PSGH as a key talking point of this AGM. In
fact, Friday’sBusiness Session will see us engaging fully on this crucial document.
3. We have laid the foundations for exploring additional sources of income. Very soon our
Business Unit and other initiatives will kick in to demonstrate this.
4. We have, finally, obtained original land title that vests the entire land in the name of the
PSGH, paving the way for massive works to begin on the National Headquarters immediately
after this AGM. Copies of the title document and two different sketch designs from two
architectural firms will be displayed at this AGM. I invite you to visit the stand and offer your
inputs for this Project.
5. The revision of the AGM and its alignment to our goals has just begun. The registration,
publicity, restructuring and arrangements of this AGM is more an experience than a story to be
told.
The New Outlook for Pharmacy
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
6. The strengthening of the Practice Groups and pharmacy practice has begun.
It has been a tough period, combining the quest for these strategic issues with the myriad of
pressing challenges we faced as a profession.
7. For the first time in many years, Young Pharmacists will have their forum to deliberate on
key matters that affect them and their practice. The issues will be raised, addressed and
discussed by Young Pharmacists among themselves. The outcomes of these discussions will
be fed into our plans for the future.
DDDIIIRRREEECCCTTTOOORRRAAATTTEEESSS
In line with the PSGH Constitution and in a bid to ensure the effective deployment of each SEC
member to the achievement of our vision, I established 5 Special Committees and 4
Directorates. The Mandates of the Committees are in the Governing Board Report. On behalf of
the GB, I am glad to report that:
1. The Education, Research and Public Health Directorate of PSGH has been coordinating
and supporting public health educational programmes across all regions in Ghana,
working closely with our regional executives to educate the public on priority public
health problems such as:
• Meningitis,
• Emergency contraceptive use,
• Cholera, antibiotic resistance,
• Responsible use of Medicines by the public among others.
2. The Directorate worked closely with LAPAG and Ghana Pharmaceutical Students
Federation to educate students on the various campuses on the health implications of
the abuse of emergency contraceptives and related issues.
3. The Directorate has also collaborated with the Internal Relations Directorate of the
PSGH to strengthen the scientific content of this year’s AGM. It is a credit to the
Directorate that we have poster presentations as part of this year’s AGM.
4. The Directorate is also facilitating a public health educational campaign called “Ask the
Pharmacist Initiative”, where PSGH will work closely with Alsbridge to continuously
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
sensitize the public about the role of pharmacists in the health system and to promote
health and responsible use of medicines.
5. The Directorate has plans to roll out a nationwide mentorship programme and CPD
activities.
6. The Governmental and Non-Governmental Relations Directorate has also initiated
collaboration and capacity building for Pharmacists with the Country Representative of
the World Health Organisation (WHO).
7. The External Relations Directorate has appointedoverseas co-ordinators in Europe and
America with the specific responsibilities of facilitating the collaboration between
members abroad and the Society for our mutual benefit.
8. The Directorate has also instituted awards by PSGH for the best graduating pharmacy
students from the three pharmacy schools in the country.
9. The PSGH is for the first time sponsoring one pharmacy intern from each of the three
teaching hospitals in the country including Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching
hospitals to attend this AGM as observers.
10. The Internal Relations Directorate has enriched our existing welfare system of the
President (or Administrative Secretary) talking directly to members on
members’birthdays with the aim of fostering a very close bond between the PSGH and
its members.
11. This directorate has also facilitated the bridging of the communication gap between the
PSGH, its Presidency and the membership through monthly bulletins on initiatives and
efforts of the President.
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
12. The directorate is also collaborating with the Educational, Research and Public Health
Directorate to plan for the 2016 World Pharmacists Day Celebration on the 25th
September 2016.
13. This directorate co-ordinated the planning for the development of the 10-year Strategic
Plan for the PSGH.
14. The Internal Relations Directorate also engineered the planning, organisation and
implementation of the 2016 AGM to align to my vision as President of the PSGH.
15. The Editorial Team has consistently published a bimonthly publication of The
Apothecary News. This has not only ensured that members of PSGH are constantly kept
abreast with the Society’s affairs and engagements but also kept up to date with trends
in the health sector.
16. The Editorial Team has regularly updated information on the website since taking over
the management of the website. The Team looks forward to leveraging the website as
an interactive educational platform for deploying CPD modules so all members of the
PSGH can, at their convenience, build their knowledge and sharpen their professional
skills.
17. I am also proud to announce that efforts have been pursued to ensure that all scientific
articles published in Ghana Pharmaceutical Journal (GPJ) undergo rigorous peer-review
processes. This year’s Edition of the Journal was indeed taken through this crucial
editorial process. A database of peer reviewers is still in development.
18. A Facebook handle of the GPJ is now available. Our publications (GPJ) and The
Apothecary News) standards were raised when we obtained an International Standard
Serial Number (ISSN) for these valuable documents which serve as the official
mouthpiece of the PSGH. Obviously, the standards of our publications have been raised.
PSGH President
Hon. Minister, the Single Spine
Structure challenges and Conditions
of Service for our colleague
government hospital remain a
blot on our collective welfare
profession. Motivations are
confidence is being eroded and
countless adjournments
confusion is grave danger
industrial harmony, patient care
pharmaceutical care in our hospitals.
Our national development cannot
attained by leaving any person
group of persons, more
pharmacists behind. Our colleagues
Ministers, Arbitral Bodies, the
difficult quest for equity, justice
that these issues must come to an
I appeal to you, Honorable Minister,
urgency to deal with this GHOSPA
The appropriate Interim Market
structure following clear determinations
Committee, the conclusion of the
any longer. The time to fix these
now!!!
The other pressing issue has
Community Pharmacy premises.
the PSGH fully condemns the hanging
yet we also demand that the Council
whether government run or private,
safety outcomes.
Thirdly, the increasing cases of administrative
colleagues in some public health
circumstances that have led to
Teaching Hospital, the strange
Pressing Issues
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM
Salary
Conditions
colleagues in
huge
welfare as a
low,
and the
and
danger for
care and
hospitals.
cannot be
person or
more so
colleagues have endured, toiled and persevered under
judicial processes and Committees upon committees
justice and fairness. Honorable Minister, you would
an end.
Minister, to impress upon Government, as a matter
GHOSPA-Fair Wages and Salaries Commission issues
Market Premium, the obvious and logical call for revising
rminations by the National Labor Commission and
the Conditions of Service for Hospital Pharmacists
these problems is now. Honorable Minister, I believe
been the Pharmacy Council’s new policy on
premises. I will say this is a very thorny and delicate issue.
hanging of licenses menace and supports any initiative
Council must extend the same standards to all
private, whether big or small. This is critical for
administrative injustice and penal measures against
health institutions are regrettable. We mention
the two year interdiction of Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce
termination of the appointment of Eric Kwaku
s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
under several Health
committees in their
would agree with me
matter of extreme
once-and-for-all.
revising the grade
and the Cabinet Sub
Pharmacists cannot wait
believe the time is
on superintending
issue. On one hand
initiative to curb it,
all health facilities
for quality patient
against some of our
mention notably the
Bruce in Korle Bu
Kwaku Kyei and the
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
termination of the appointment of only the Pharmacist in the Korle Bu Senior Staff Association
(KOSSA) leadership, Charles Offei-Palm are most unfortunate and regrettable. While all these
matters remain in Court, we urge the Health Ministry to intervene immediately to resolve these
issues as the cost and impact of litigation on our colleagues is unacceptable, unfair and most
unfortunate.
The PSGH welcomes Government’s efforts at re-examining the NHIS for sustainability, equity,
accountability and efficiency. We have supported the process and made our inputs. As a
Society, we believe the Scheme represents a huge relief for the majority of Ghanaians and we
must all support government and the Authority to ensure its continuous survival and
sustainability.
We also commend Government for her support for the local pharmaceutical manufacturing
industry. We refer to the direct financial support for the Industry and the withdrawal of VAT on
some major pharmaceutical inputs and some finished products under LI 2218 of the VAT
amended Act. This single initiative is unprecedented in our history and we hope to be seeing
more for industry in the years ahead. The PSGH believes government’s deliberate and targeted
support for local manufacturing will not only strengthen the health system but also boost
national economic development. As it is often said, any nation that develops makes three
things in abundance: its own energy (fuel), its own food and its own medicines. We will
implore Government to give a prominent place for pharmaceuticals and health technologies in
the economic aspirations of Ghanaians.
Our theme for this AGM is also a bold manifestation of our commitment to work with
Government in its efforts at achieving patient safety outcomes. We promise to make the
outcomes of these deliberations available to the government through the Ministry for action
and incorporation into policy.
There is only one Ghana. Our homeland. We urge all competing parties to make every effort to
ensure a peaceful election in December. Candidates, their supporters and party agents must be
circumspect, careful and guard against any acts that may threaten or compromise the peace.
Ghana has earned the enviable place of a model for democracies in Sub Saharan Africa. This
recognition is critical for attracting trade, investments and development to Ghana. We owe it to
ourselves, our children and our communities to jealously guard this peace.
National Health Insurance Issues
Election 2016
PSGH President’s Address at 2016 AGM 2016
The PSGH further calls on the Electoral Commission (EC) to lay down the rules clearly and
enforce it strictly to ensure that both winning and losing parties and candidates are left with no
doubts. We have a history of very close electoral results and these call for strong electoral
systems and rules to ensure clarity and consistency.
We finally call on all Ghanaians to put our nation ahead of any person or party. Ghana first.
Ghana is bigger than any of the parties or candidates. Let’s work together to build our nation.
Political, tribal and any form of polarization must be avoided and condemned in clear terms.
In conclusion, it is often said:
“To a generation much is given, but of other generations, much is expected”.
We the current generation of pharmacists owes it to ourselves, our profession and posterity to
create what will be the future of our noble profession in Ghana. Let us therefore eschew the
dangerous “infections” of disunity, complaints, excuses, and blame;
Let’s change our thoughts; Let’s believe in our collective strength; Let’s believe in what we can
do; Let’s light our lamps to brighten our little corners; Let’s create our common future today;
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get the job done; Let’s resolve to build; where it is broken, let’s re-
build, Let us make Sunyani the turning point…
To paraphrase the words of Nehemiah in the Bible (Nehemiah 2:18)
“…Fellows, Members, Colleagues and all Pharmacists, the gracious hand of the Almighty God is
upon us: Let us rise up and build. Let us strengthen our hands for this good work”.
Long Live Pharmacy! Long Live the PSGH!! Long Live Ghana!!!
*End of speech
Conclusion