Oak City International College (OCIC) has celebrated its sixth graduation ceremony, marking a milestone in its continued contribution to healthcare training in Ghana.

The ceremony, held on November 28, honoured 28 students who successfully passed their Nursing and Midwifery Council licensing examinations.

OCIC, which is fully accredited and affiliated with the University of Cape Coast, offers a wide range of programmes, including Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy Assistance, Fashion Design, and Media Studies.

The institution traces its roots to 1990, when founder Mr Osei Asibey Kwateng established New Era College in London to provide vocational training opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

After 25 years of success in the United Kingdom, he expanded the mission to Ghana in 2008. The Ghana branch was later renamed Oak City International College in 2017.

Over the last three decades, Mr Kwateng has supported thousands of students across two continents to build sustainable and successful professional careers.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Registrar and Director of OCIC, Mr Kwaku Akwetey, urged students to broaden their educational choices beyond government institutions, emphasising the capacity and quality of private colleges in modern tertiary education.

“Apart from allowances from government, both government and private institutions offer the same curriculum. Our students have their clinical training at Ridge Hospital and Legon Hospital,” he noted.

Mr Akwetey assured the public that, despite the growing number of students, the college remains committed to maintaining high academic and professional standards.

“There are various testimonies about how well our students perform. Our teaching staff are current practitioners, making it easier for students to understand and apply what they learn,” he added.

He urged professionals, particularly young graduates, to prioritise integrity and excellence over the pursuit of quick financial gains, warning that chasing money at all costs often leads to failure and disgrace.

“Money is important, but working professionally and honestly is the best. If you go running after money, you will be disgraced. But work professionally and you will gradually climb the ladder. If I were to follow money, this school would never be where it is now. This college was built on sacrifice and professionalism,” he said.