On Friday, January 21, 2022, the School of Veterinary Medicine of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (SVM-KNUST) inducted Fourteen (14) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduates into the Veterinary Council of Ghana.
Professor Alexander Debrah, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health, stated in his welcoming address that the College of Health Sciences is unique in that it is poised to teach significant participants in the One Health and One Medicine approach to save the globe from devouring pandemics like COVID-19.
Professor Debrah urged graduates to view the current epidemic as a problem that must be overcome, noting that because veterinary medicine is the discipline of caring for animals, food and pets play a critical part in pandemic prevention. He advised them to view the oath-taking as a lifetime commitment to their profession and to remember that KNUST is famed for its “Culture of Excellence,” and that they should strive to emulate that culture.
Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, urged the graduates to be advocates of Veterinary Medicine and real ambassadors of KNUST in his keynote address. ‘There are opportunities in your field; thus, uphold the standard to become a mentor to others and do not be afraid to experiment as you may be able to contribute to bringing innovation to sectors of public health,’ he added.
At the 7th Oath Swearing and Induction Ceremony, Class of 2021, the Dean of SVM, Professor Benjamin Emikpe, handed the new veterinarians, consisting of twelve males and two females, to the Chairman of the Veterinary Council of Ghana.
The Veterinary Oath was delivered and the new veterinarians were inducted by Dr. Jonathan Amakye-Anim, Chairman of the Ghanaian Veterinary Council. He described the ceremony as a rite of passage for veterinary care practitioners in terms of animal cruelty treatment and prevention, as well as keeping professional ethical standards. He went on to say that it is a public declaration of their intention to take on the responsibilities and obligations of the veterinary profession.
Dr. Amakye-Anim charged the newly inducted veterinarians to be ethical and obey the rules of veterinary medicine, guard their alma mater, give back to the nation and add value to the society in which they belong/operate. He also advised them to respond positively to the challenges of recognition by the community by asserting their responsibilities as veterinary doctors.
Dr. Kwadwo Agyapong received awards for the Overall Best Student sponsored by Dr. Andrew Quarcoopome and the Dean’s Prize for the Overall Best Student. Dr. Portia Kuufam also was awarded Dr. Peter Boakye-Yiadom Prize for the Best Student in Avian Medicine.
In a related development, Dr. David McKenzie, a scholar from Tuskegee University, presented SVM with a collection of books and laboratory equipment.
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