The Director of the College of Health–Yamfo (CoHY) in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region, Dr Mohammed Mohammed Ibrahim, has appealed to the government and other stakeholders to extend infrastructure support to the college to meet the demands of the growing student population.

Addressing the 9th matriculation, Dr Ibrahim said management continues to take steps to address the challenges, but external support will strengthen their resolve to train minds to help solve the challenges of humanity.

Established in 2015 with an initial student of 250, CoHY now has a total student population of 2,931. This includes 1,052 newly admitted students for the 2023/2024 academic year who took the matriculation oath and swore to abide by the college's rules and regulations.

As a young developing health institution, the Director said the many challenges faced by the school negatively impact the school's vision.

“One of them is the inadequate accommodation for our increasing student population on campus”, he said and further noted that aside from the teaching and non-teaching staff also facing accommodation challenges, the school also lacks adequate lecture halls. "We need more”, he said.

Some projects initiated by College of Health-Yamfo management

Dr Ibrahim further revealed that the lack of adequate transport is affecting their activities as they are unable to transport the students adequately to the clinical settings for their practicals and clinical sessions.

“Poor internal road network on campus”, he said, also makes movement cumbersome.

He, however, said the college management, with the support of staff, has initiated positive steps towards resolving some of the challenges, including the new hostels and the procurement of more teaching and learning materials.

Rev. Fr. Francis Ayana, CoHY chaplain

“I want to use this opportunity to call on all major stakeholders to come to our aid”, he appealed.

Dr Mohammed Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized the commitment of the college to direct and mentor committed and courageous human resources capable of handling the health havoc resulting from man-made and natural disasters.

He urged the trainees to see the recent disasters as an alert to prepare for the task ahead but also ensure they adopt the right attitudes while in school.

“We will help you develop the right attitudes and character required for the job market during your periods of studies”, he assured the students, but reminded them to demand from themselves discipline, commitment, and sacrifices, both on and off campus, especially in the health facilities, to help them to realize their dreams.

The College Chaplain and Counsellor, Rev. Fr. Francis Ayana, also encouraged the students to be serious with their academic work and see themselves as saviours of the sick.

“Let this thought loom large in your minds and study hard, for there is no fulfillment in this life than living your life in saving others”, he said.