Ensign Global University, through its partnership with the University of Utah, hosted the 2026 Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity (AFHE) Mid-Year Convening on our campus from June 21-27, 2026, marking the fellowship's first ever convening in Ghana. The convening brought to EGU's campus a distinguished cohort of health leaders, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and educators from ten (10) countries for an immersive week of learning, collaboration, and real-world public health engagement.

Led and coordinated by EGU's expert faculty, the programme explored global health equity through the lens of Ghana's unique experiences and realities, introducing the Atlantic Fellows to Ghana’s health system through classroom instruction, community engagement, and field experiences.

Classroom session on Ghana’s Health System led by EGU’s Dr. Sandra Kushitor

The convening opened with a comprehensive overview of the Ghana Health System and Leadership, delivered by EGU Senior Lecturer, Dr. Sandra Kushitor. The group subsequently toured key health facilities in the area including the Community Health-Based Planning System (CHPS) Compound and the Kpong Health Centre, gaining firsthand insight into the structure and delivery of healthcare at the community level.

Atlantic Fellows’ visit to Kpong Health Centre and Atua Government Hospital

For deeper understanding of Ghana’s Health System, health professionals and officials, during a visit to the Atua Government Hospital provided candid insights into resource distribution within the facility, shedding light on how systemic resource challenges contribute to the inequalities that persist within the system. The session delved into the prevalence and treatment of HIV in the district, offering the fellows a grounded perspective on the intersection of health equity and disease burden.

Fellows’ health engagement with local school kids

In a particularly distinctive, and unique feature of public health education at EGU, the fellows engaged in thought-provoking sessions on Human Trafficking in Ghana, led by our Anti-Human Trafficking lead instructor, Dr. Alberta Teye Agudey and Mr. Afasi Komla of Engage Now Africa Ghana. The sessions offered field insights, and survivor-led perspectives on this critical yet often overlooked public health concern.

Anti-Human Trafficking session led by EGU’s Dr. Alberta Agudey

The convening culminated with a visit to a Health2Go field site in Wawase, where the fellows engaged in deep and insightful conversations with the programme's Community-Based Agents (CBAs)—crucial actors in the delivery of Health2Go's life-saving services. The visit offered a firsthand understanding of the complexities and realities of administering healthcare to community members, particularly children under the age of five, in these hard-to-reach and underserved communities. The convening also provided opportunities to experience Ghana's history and culture through visits to Elmina Castle, Kakum National Park, and other cultural sites. These shared experiences fostered meaningful dialogue among participants, deepening their understanding of the historical, environmental, and social factors that continue to shape health equity.

Fellows’ visits to some tourist destinations in Ghana

Overall, the convening left a lasting impression on the fellows, as reflections and comments from the participants paint a vivid picture of the depth and quality of the programme, and the profound impact the experience has had on their professional journeys.

"I appreciated the opportunity to spend time at Ensign Global University this summer. The program (designed by their faculty) was informative, and the staff were welcoming and supportive throughout the program. It was a valuable experience to engage with colleagues and learn in a different academic setting."

Wubshet Jote Tolessa
Internist, Adult Nephrologist, Ethiopia
2026 Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity

"We visited Ghana as part of a 10-day professional program in partnership with Ensign Global University. The EGU faculty and staff accompanied us throughout the program, overseeing logistics and facilitating visits to a range of organizations. We appreciated their welcoming hospitality - on and off campus, and the opportunity to learn more about Ghana's health system."

Sara Sukudom
Medical Doctor, Australia
2026 Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity

By hosting the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity (AFHE), Ensign Global University demonstrated its capacity to deliver world-class academic programming while facilitating meaningful, on-the-ground engagement with real-world public health challenges, affirming its position as a leading institution for public health education and practice in Africa.