Professor Eric Ofori, Dean of the School of Health and Allied Sciences revealed that, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has instituted measures to establish the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SoSEM). He said this at a two-day School of Sports and Exercise Medicine Stakeholders Meeting held at the School of Health and Allied Sciences’ Board Room, North Campus (Trafalgar).
Professor Eric Ofori who chaired the consultation meeting, conveyed the Vice Chancellor’s appreciation to all the representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Authority and the Volta Regional Sports Authority for their support. He further stated that, the University’s intention to establish the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine, curriculum development and subsequently seeking accreditation for unique programmes cannot be achieved without the assistance of stakeholders in the fields of sports.
The Chairman of the meeting was optimistic that the meeting was an apt opportunity for UHAS, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and all relevant sports industrial players in Ghana and beyond to contribute to the development of Sports in Ghana and the Sub-Sahara region of Africa.
Professor Eric Ofori informed the gathering that, the University has appealed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other institutions to build a State of the Arts Sports and Fitness Complex with a Specialised Sports Clinic. He similarly made a passionate appeal to all professionals and bodies in the sports industry to avail their experiences and resources to UHAS.
Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Youth and Sports conveyed the Minister’s desire to support the establishment of the UHAS School of Sports and Exercise Medicine. Dr. Owusu Ansah described the invitation as an honour and articulated his personal desire to contribute to the development of SoSEM.
The former Head of the Sports Directorate at the University of Ghana, in his presentation titled: Dimensions of Sports Industry: Content and Contest; catalogued the concept of the sports development from two perceptive; Sports Development and Sports for Excellence. He explained that, whereas the former is a ‘means to an end’, the latter is an ‘End in itself’.
According to Dr. Owusu Ansah, the Sports Industry is a diverse field with several interrelated specific experts and the intention of UHAS to establish a School of Sports and Exercise Medicine will position UHAS in a unique position to advance the science and health segment of sports development. He opined that, this particular area is underdeveloped in Ghana and West Africa at large.
The former National Chief Athletic Coach, Chief Sports Development Officer and Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council expressed his interest and readiness to collaborate with SoSEM to develop distinctive programmes that are vital for the development of sports.
There were other presentations from Mr. Kwame Baa Mensa, who represented Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director of National Sports Authority, and Mr. Cephas Setorwu Fleming, Acting Director of Volta Regional Sports Authority.
Present at the meeting were Mrs. Lucy Ofori-Aryeh, Director of Academic Affairs; Dr. William Vidogah, Director of Works and Physical Development; Professor Oluwaseum O. Omotayo, SoSEM; Dr. Archibald Danquah-Amoah, SoSEM; Ms. Drusilla Asante, SoSEM; Mr. Devine Eli-Cophie ,SoSEM.
Other participants were Mr. Israel Tordzro Agudey, SAHS Officer; Dr. Fidelis Kpodo and other faculty members of the School of Health and Allied Sciences.