August 25, 2025
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH) held its annual Vocational Training (VT) Day on Wednesday August 6, 2025 at its campus in Hohoe, bringing together students, faculty and health sector partners to receive feedback on the 2024 VT programme. The exercise is to enable the University to address identified challenges facing implementation of the programme.
UHAS as a practically oriented health institution dedicated to community service has a compulsory flagship field training programme dubbed Vocational Training (VT) where students spend eight weeks of each long vacation for internship in health facilities across the country to transform their theoretical lessons into practical realities. UHAS through the VT programme has built healthy working relationships with community leaders, clinics, hospitals, CHPS compounds, health directorates and local government sectors nationwide.
The Dean of the School, Professor Frank Ekow Baiden, in his welcome address emphasized the critical role of the VT programme in developing competent healthcare professionals. He stated that Vocational Training represents more than an academic requirement. It is a community-oriented programme that bridges classroom learning with real world practice. He added that the VT Day provides a platform for strengthening the partnership that exists between the University, students, health facilities and other stakeholders of the programme.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Frank Edwin who represented the Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Aziato, reiterated the programme’s dual purpose as both an opportunity for practical training and service to the community. He said the VT programme offers students invaluable hands-on experience while providing essential services to the partner communities. Professor Edwin encouraged the students to maximize these opportunities by engaging in the programme with all seriousness.
The Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Anthony Asempah who represented the Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, addressed the importance of maintaining UHAS’ distinguished reputation during field placements. The Director emphasized, among others, that students serve as ambassadors of the University at their placement sites and are therefore expected always to appear smart and professional in dressing and conduct.
Dr. Joyce Kumesour, a faculty at FNBSPH, shared impressive experiences obtained during monitoring and supervision trips to the various facilities. She used the opportunity to extend gratitude to health facility managers and community leaders for their continuous support for the VT programme.
The Kadjebi District Director of Health Service, Mr. Eric Nana Takyi provided valuable insights from the perspective of facility managers. Mr. Takyi advised the students on punctuality, active engagement with hands-on activities and humility, which are essential for successful learning experiences. He also suggested that healthcare professionals pursuing further studies should not be posted to their workplaces for the VT programme. He opined that placing such students in different facilities from their regular workplaces would provide opportunities for fresh learning experiences and mitigate excessive familiarity which could limit the acquisition of new skills and professional growth.
Representatives of levels 200, 300 and 400 students took turns to share their experiences during the 2024 VT programme.
The event also featured an interactive session where a good number of students shared their personal challenges and proposed solutions, exemplifying UHAS' commitment to responsive and student-centered education.
The Health Promotion students added a creative dimension to the occasion by delivering a spoken word performance, demonstrating the holistic development that characterizes the UHAS education experience.
As Ghana's health sector faces increasing demands, programmes like UHAS’ Vocational Training play a crucial role in ensuring that the next generation of healthcare leaders are community oriented, professionally skilled and suitably developed to make meaningful contributions wherever they find themselves.