Ghana Society of Radiographers pushes for major curriculum reform to strengthen healthcare workforce

The President of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR), Dr Prince Rockson, is calling for urgent reforms to the country’s radiography training system to boost human resource capacity and align with global healthcare standards.

Speaking during the Hariet Duah inter-school quiz and the 130th World Radiography Day celebrations in Accra, Dr Rockson underscored the fast-paced evolution of medical imaging and Ghana’s growing need for highly trained specialists across multiple modalities to ensure safe, efficient patient care.

The event was held on the theme: “Celebrating the Power of Medical Imaging and the Radiographer behind the Image.”

Dr Rockson said the current four-year radiography programme falls short of international standards, noting that some institutions have introduced pseudo-specialisations at the first-degree level, which he described as inadequate.

He urged institutions to work closely with the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to develop a harmonised curriculum, paving the way for a proposed six-year training model recommended by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

“Graduates from this advanced training system will form the foundation for postgraduate specialisation, enabling higher-level professionals to focus on modality-specific imaging, image interpretation, research, teaching, administration, and other radiological sub-fields,” he explained.

Dr Rockson also emphasised the increasing influence of technology in radiography, reminding the public that although X-rays are invisible, they can be harmful when misused. He stressed the critical role trained radiographers play in assessing radiation risks, determining proper dosage, and ensuring accurate diagnoses while protecting patients.

A member of the GSR Council of Elders and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor William Antwi, paid tribute to radiographers worldwide.
He described their work as transformative, stating: “Every image we create brings clarity, supports healing, and saves lives. We are not just operators of machines; we are guardians of vision, partners in diagnosis, and pillars of modern healthcare.”

Professor Antwi encouraged professionals to recommit to lifelong learning, ethical practice, teamwork, and mentorship to strengthen the next generation of radiographers and improve imaging services.

National Organiser of the GSR and Director of Allied Health Services at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, George Nunoo, commended the steady growth of radiography in Ghana. He said the profession has evolved from basic machine operation to advanced specialisations, including MRI, CT, interventional radiography, and cardiac imaging, noting that several practitioners now hold PhDs.

World Radiography Day, observed globally on November 8, marks Professor Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s discovery of X-rays in 1895 and celebrates the essential role radiographers play in healthcare delivery.

The Hariet Duah inter-school quiz concluded with the University of Ghana emerging as champions, taking home the trophy.

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