The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has officially inaugurated the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM) Chapter of its Alumni Association, marking a significant step in fostering alumni engagement and institutional development. The ceremony took place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at SONAM.
In his welcome address, the Global President of the UHAS Alumni Association, Gabriel Agbanyo, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with the university. He paid tribute to the Foundation Dean of SONAM, Dr. Gameli K. Norgbe, for his instrumental role in establishing the school. Agbanyo highlighted the association’s progress, including the establishment of international alumni chapters in the United Kingdom, North America, and Saudi Arabia. He encouraged the newly elected SONAM Chapter executives to work towards strengthening collaborations and advancing the association’s objectives.
The Dean of SONAM, Professor Peter Adatara, who served as the Chairman of the event, expressed gratitude to the foundation staff of UHAS, particularly Dr. Norgbe, for his dedication to building the institution.
Addressing the gathering, UHAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Lydia Aziato, praised SONAM’s remarkable expansion from an initial 50 students to over 4,650 students today. She urged the alumni to support the university through scholarships, infrastructure projects, and mentorship programs. She emphasized the vital role of a strong alumni network in professional development and lifelong learning.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Gameli Kwame Norgbe reflected on his role as part of the 19-member task force commissioned by the late President John Evans Atta Mills to establish UHAS and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). He emphasized that while many of the foundation staff came from the University of Ghana, UHAS was designed to be a distinct, practically oriented health institution committed to community service and research. He underscored the importance of maintaining the university’s focus on hands-on training, which sets its graduates apart.
Dr. Norgbe also urged healthcare professionals to prioritize customer care, treating patients as valued clients rather than mere cases. He called on UHAS alumni to actively participate in the association to enhance their professional growth and contribute to the university’s progress.
The foundation executives of the UHAS Alumni SONAM Chapter were sworn in by Gabriel Agbanyo. The newly elected President, Obed Kweku Amenyo, pledged to foster mentorship, professional development, and institutional support. Other executive members include Rhodaline Pleasure (First Vice President), Bernice Dzivenu (Second Vice President), Mary Adaeze Udeoha (Secretary), Fabian Etse Normenyo (Financial Secretary), and Julius Okine (Organizer).
In recognition of his contributions, the SONAM Chapter executives presented a citation to Dr. Norgbe for his dedication to the school’s establishment.
UHAS Registrar, Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, encouraged the new executives to uphold the university’s core values of Excellence, Integrity, and Service & Care, while fostering collaboration between UHAS Alumni and the institution.
The SONAM Alumni Chapter is the second school-based chapter to be inaugurated at UHAS, following the Faculty of Nursing and Biomedical Sciences and Public Health (FNBSPH) Chapter launched last year. With these initiatives, UHAS is poised to strengthen its alumni network, creating long-term benefits for both the university and its graduates.
By Peter Quao Adattor
