Dr. Frank Obeng

Sweden Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) had strong ties to Sweden. It was the idea of the Swedish Government and a group of investors to provide cancer care to people living in West Africa and beyond who seek European standard cancer-care. GMI-AB, an investment and project development company for Sweden’s development finance institution, Swedfund, partnered with Elekta, a leading innovator of equipment and software used to improve, prolong and save the lives of people with cancer and brain disorders. A state-of-the-art facility was born and christened SGMC.’ (Source, SGMC management Team). ‘In 2015 the destiny of the centre moved to another level.

Ownership shifted from the initial investors to The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT). This was concluded in the fall of 2020. Today the dream and aspiration of the forbearers, which was not achieved, are being pursued diligently by its new owners all in the quest to make the centre a one-stop-shop in taking away the burden of cancer. During my practicum I observed that the SGMC is a high efficiency, zero waste facility; still pursuing continuous development through marketing and scientific research; as well as adoption of current high-end technology, competent oncologists and managerial and supporting staff to achieve competitive advantage.

They also have a unique organizational culture, akin to Ensign Global College’s. At the outset of the practicum, I had the opportunity to meet my preceptor, Dr Emmanuel Amankwaa-Frempong, to discuss the needs on the ground he wanted me to tackle. In his words, he wanted me to help them set up a local IRB for the SGMC Research Department, which he heads as well.

We also agreed on a flyer, and some videos for health education; and one or two research proposals. After that, I was introduced to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Clement Edusa, who tutored me, briefly, on how he runs the day to day clinical governance for the facility. I later on had a detailed set of daily discussions with the General Manager of the Facility, Mr. Edward Banson, on how he carries out his managerial leadership activities that has made SGMC, profitable and growing. This happened for close to half of the day for the first 3 days of my practicum experience there.

I was also introduced to the Human Resource Manager, and other staff who were encouraged to provide me the needed support for activities during my stay there. Lunch was provided daily by SGMC. I had support from all the staff, particularly, Mr. Julius Tetteh of SGMC’s IT department who had the patience and helped design my flyer and information handy-brochure for cervical cancer health promotional activities (and secondary data extraction on prostate cancer from their MIS). I also had support from Miss. Ewoenam A. Puplampu who was my go-to person for everything administrative or secretarial.

The rest of the period in between starting date and completion was used on researching on, and putting together the practicum products, discussing them with all preceptors and stakeholders and faculty, gaining their inputs and incorporating those inputs into the final product. I also obtained administrative and a documented ethical permission for secondary data collection for the second research proposal. My general experience at SGMC was fulfilling, and the learning was good; and I am grateful to the management, staff and leadership of the facility for the opportunity and the receptiveness; and I thank ensign global college for the opportunity.