The Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America (GPSF) was established to support the mission of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) which was established by an Act of Parliament in 2002 to provide quality postgraduate training in Medicine in Ghana. It also serves as an advocacy group to influence health policy and educate the general public about numerous health care issues in Ghana and Africa. The foundation supports all non-profit health initiatives in Ghana by Ghanaian and other health professionals in North America.
GPSF was founded in 2002 following a visit by Prof. Nyame, the first Rector of the newly created postgraduate college to the US to meet with an ad hoc group of Ghanaian physician leaders in the US to discuss how Ghanaian physicians in the US could collaborate with the college. GPSF was registered as a 501(3) c corporation. All expenses related to membership, meetings and donations are tax deductible.
The organizing meeting was held at the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC and attended by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, NY (later the founding President of the GPSF), Prof. Ohene–Frimpong PA, Dr. Twum – Boafo NY, Prof. Ulzen NC, and Dr. Kwasi Debra DC among others. Plans were put in motion for the first GPSF conference which occurred a year later at the Ghana Embassy. After a few years of meeting in the North East, the executive decided to meet in Atlanta, GA annually because of easy access from all regions of the United States.
To further its goals, GPSF hosts an annual Business and Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference every spring. In collaboration with GCPS the foundation hosts an annual CME event – The Medical Knowledge Fiesta, in Ghana for physicians in practice in Ghana. These conferences are open to the general public.
GPSF continues to fulfill its mission of assisting in providing quality training for healthcare professionals in Ghana by providing subscription to world class medical journals as well as superb online educational tools and also providing teaching materials to medical colleges in Ghana. Members of GPSF also volunteer their time and energy to work in Ghana either in hospitals or as visiting faculty at the various medical schools.
External faculty position in the college can be acquired by becoming a fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. Information regarding attaining fellowship status can obtained from the administrative assistant of GPSF.