President John Dramani Mahama has been conferred with the title of Grand Patron of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) at the College’s 66th Annual Conference, in recognition of his longstanding commitment to healthcare delivery and the advancement of surgical practice in the West African sub-region.
The honour was bestowed during the opening of the conference, which brought together surgeons, medical educators, and health professionals from across the region and beyond to discuss innovations, research, and policy directions in surgical care.
In his address, President Mahama highlighted the growing impact of technology on modern medicine, noting that digital tools are reshaping medical education, improving clinical decision-making, and strengthening mentorship and quality assurance systems. According to him, these developments ultimately translate into better outcomes for patients and more resilient healthcare systems across West Africa.
He described the WACS annual conference as a vital forum for professional engagement and cross-border collaboration, stressing its role in building research capacity, attracting resources, and accelerating the application of scientific evidence to everyday clinical practice.
President Mahama also used the occasion to reiterate the need for sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and continuous professional development, arguing that such commitments are essential to addressing the region’s changing medical and surgical demands.
The West African College of Surgeons, established to promote excellence in surgical training and practice, continues to play a central role in shaping specialist healthcare delivery across the sub-region.
