The Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI) has received financial donation from the management of St Patrick’s University Hospital (SPUH) in Dublin to promote psychiatry as a career option among Ghanaian medical students. The support from the hospital was presented by Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Gilligan and the Medical Director Professor James Lucey and received by a four member delegation of the AGPI led by the Chairperson Dr Vincent Agyapong. Other members of the delegation included Mr Kofi Owusu-Ansah, Secretary, Ms. Lynda Twum-Ackah, Treasurer and Mrs Belinda Agyapong, Director of Programmes.


Receiving the delegation, Mr Gilligan expressed the delight of his hospital to support AGPI’s initiative to promote psychiatry as a fulfilling career among Ghanaian medical students. He stated that up until now, his hospital has focused on developing mental health services in Ireland. However, they are now exploring the option of making a contribution to the development of mental health services in developing countries and they see the partnership with AGPI as a good starting point. The Medical Director, Professor James Lucey also expressed the hope that the contribution would help AGPI meet our aspirations of helping to improve mental health service delivery in Ghana.


The support would allow AGPI in conjunction with the Chief Psychiatrist in Ghana to organise a public debate between Ghana’s medical schools. The event would be held annually and the two winners of the debate would be facilitated to undertake a four week elective in psychiatry in SPUH with all expenses paid by the hospital. This year’s event would be held on Saturday, the 11th of December 2010 at the British Council in Accra from 1p.m prompt. The topic for the maiden debate is ‘Mental Health cannot be a priority for a developing country like Ghana’. University of Ghana Medical School in Accra and the School of Medical Science in Kumasi would take part in this years’ event with two students representing each school. It is anticipated that next year’s event would be extended to include students’ from the medical schools in Tamale and Cape Coast.


Receiving the donation, Dr Agyapong expressed his delight that SPUH had began to look outward and expressed the hope that they would do more to support mental health service delivery in Ghana.


In a related development, St John of God Development Company, a not-for-profit organisation in Dublin has also agreed to sponsor two other contestants of the debate for a four week elective in psychiatry in Ireland. This brings to four the number of medical students who would benefit from the package.


For more information, please visit www.agpireland.org