More ‘Zongo’ girls to be trained as doctors in Cuba – Bawumia

The Government has announced a 50 percent quota for women in an agreement which will have 400 people from Zongo communities across the country train in Cuba as medical doctors.

According to the government, 40 students will benefit from the initiative each year for the next 10 years as part of a programme by the Ghanaian and Cuban governments to increase the number of doctors in Ghana

The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who made the announcement says the decision is in line with the government’s plan to give equal opportunities to women.

“With these arrangements, we can be assured that, for the next decade, at least 400 of our medical doctors in Ghana will come from Zongo, inner cities and deprived communities. When the modalities and discussions are complete, we will wish that the majority of the beneficiaries chosen in this program will be women. Actually, what we are saying is that, at least, 50 percent should be women and 50 percent should be men.”

The Government through the Health Ministry has facilitated the training opportunity for brilliant and needy medical students from Zongo, inner cities and other deprived communities in the country.

Sector Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu said Cuba accepted to undertake the program following a proposal from the Vice President, Dr. Mahama Bawumia, to the Government of Cuba to extend the special arrangement between the two countries for the training of health personnel in deprived communities.

Dr. Bawumia has also unveiled plans for the construction of a medical university in the Northern part of the country.

The proposed University is part of a programme from the Saudi government which includes the construction of 42 Senior High Schools (SHSs).

He said the move when implemented will provide opportunities for the Zongo youth to pursue science-based courses, and improve academic outcomes.

“There are many brilliant students from the Zongo and other deprived communities who have had their dreams of becoming doctors shattered due to lack of funding. This programme would come as a welcome opportunity for such students to realise their God-given talents. And Insha Allah, this partnership between the Governments of Ghana and Cuba will produce more doctors from Zongo and other deprived communities in the country.”

source: Citi Newsroom