President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday appealed to members of the Council of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to try and stop the brain drain in Ghana's health sector.

He said they should also encourage and inculcate in the younger professionals in the sector, the spirit of sacrifice that had been associated with the medical profession since its inception. "You being distinguished and experienced medical practitioners, should lead by example to the young professionals to serve with the spirit of sacrifice as they are called to serve the country", he said.

President Kufuor made the appeal when administering the oaths of office and secrecy to 13 out of the 15-member Council of the College at the Castle, Osu, in Accra. They were Professor Samuel Ofosu-Amaah, Chairman, Professor E.Q. Archampong, Professor E.D. Yeboah, Dr Andani Andan, Dr J.K.Awadzi and Professor Francis K. Nkrumah.

The rest were Nana (Dr) S.K.B.Asante, Paramount Chief of Asokore in the Ashanti Region, Professor Nana Pfoulkes-Crabbe, Dr Chloris Adadevoh, Mr Henry J. Nii Djantackey, Right Rev Thomas K. Mensah, Catholic Bishop of Obuasi Diocese, Mr Owusu Adjei and Professor Paul Kwame Nyame, Acting Rector of the College.

The two other members, who were absent, are Professor C. C. Adomakoh and Professor John Kaburesie. The College inaugurated on December 9, last year, was established as a result of a Parliamentary Act passed in December 2002 that received Presidential assent in 2003 to offer post-graduate training in medicine.

Courses to be undertaken at the College to span a period between four to six years include specialist education in Medicine, Surgery and other related disciplines. The College would also engage in continuous professional development in Medicine, Surgery and related disciplines, promote and co-ordinate education and research in Medicine and Surgery and contribute to the formation of policies on sound health and public health generally.

President Kufuor said the country had suffered from brain drain in the health sector as a result of some medical practitioners and nurses seeking "greener pastures" elsewhere. He said the main reasons given for leaving Ghana had been that prospects to improve on their professional status were absent but with the establishment of the College, the quality and competence of medical practitioners anywhere in the world would be made available in Ghana.

President Kufuor said the Council was not only expected to ensure that the College produced the best graduates, but also ensure that a good foundation was laid to sustain it. He pledged government's determination to offer the needed resources and support to the Council and College to make their activities among the best in the world.

Professor Ofosu-Amaah, Chairman of the Council on behalf of his colleagues said they were fully sensitive to the nature of the historic challenge ahead and would work diligently to fulfil the confidence reposed in them. He said the College should assist to improve the quality of health care delivery and the graduates trained to be humane and provide the attributes of professional medical practitioners.