Professor Lydia Aziato
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has inducted into office its first female Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Lydia Aziato.
The VC, Prof. Aziato, by virtue of her investiture few days ago, becomes the first female to be leading the University in that capacity after her predecessors; Prof John Owusu Gyapong (Second VC) and Prof. Fred Newton Binka (Founding VC).
She also joins Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo; current VC of University of Ghana Legon (2022) and Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2020) to make history as the first time that Ghana has three female VCs around the same time.
The stride also consolidates the history made in 2008 when Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Aagyemang became the first Female VC of the University of Cape Coast.
Profile of Prof. Aziato of UHAS
Prof. Lydia Aziato is a known trail blazer as she is the first nurse in Ghana to attain a professorship status.
Prof. Aziato completed studies at the Nursing and Midwifery College, Korle Bu in 1997 to become a professional nurse. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Psychology in 2001 and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Nursing in 2005, both from University of Ghana.
During her M.Phil. programme, she was granted a scholarship from Unilever Ghana Ltd. In 2006, she completed specialty training in Oncology Nursing from Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada. She subsequently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing from University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa in 2013.
Experience and Vision for UHAS
Until she was appointed Vice-chancellor of UHAS, Prof. Aziato was the Dean at the University of Ghana School of Nursing and Midwifery.
She brings on board extensive corporate governance experience having served on several boards and committees locally and internationally.
Prof. Aziato is a fellow of the Africa Science Leadership Programme, West African Postgraduate College of Nursing and Midwifery and an alumnus of Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies. She has published more than 70 articles, making her the leading nurse scholar in Ghana.
She called for all hands on deck as she takes UHAS to the next level in research, community support, nurturing of world-class health professionals and improving staff quality and student-staff ratio.
She also assured that the vision of UHAS to become a world-class health training institution and the best in Africa is on course and nothing can stop that.
President’s Support
Speaking at the Investiture, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo assured the new Vice Chancellor that he, the government and the state is fully behind her to deliver on her vision for UHAS.
Key among his support is working with the Ministry of Finance to give financial clearance for UHAS to recruit more quality staff to beef up the human resource needs of the school.
He commended UHAS for setting high standards of behaviour, promoting traditional values which underpin life-long learning and achievement, thus making it to be ranked the 2nd best in Ghana and 36th in Africa by AD scientific index in the World Scientists and University Rankings.
President Akufo-Addo expressed the hope that staff, students, and all stakeholders will continue to provide the needed cooperation and support to make UHAS surpass its current level.
The occasion which attracted dignitaries and distinguished academics from all walks of life also saw the induction of the third Registrar of UHAS, Miss Yaa Amankwaa Opuni.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)