Ghana currently has over 5000 registered pharmacists practicing in different fields across the country and with an estimate of 60-70% classified as young pharmacists with less than 10 years of practice.

Faced with the challenge of limited employment opportunities within the sector, Elle Mindly, a private organization with the passion to inspire, inform, transform and build capacity among these young pharmacists and in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) and Lead-It Africa, launched this initiative, The Pharma Youth Mentorship.

The theme of this forum, “Grooming our younger pharmacists to excel in leadership roles,” sought to provide insights on leadership and mentorship from seasoned, experienced and accomplished senior colleagues who have selflessly served and excelled in their roles as leaders within the industry.

Addressing the forum, Dr Samuel Kow Donkoh, the current president of the PSGH and the CEO of Cedar Point Chemists provided participants with detailed insights on leadership and mentorship, sharing pratically his personal and professional journey – successes and pitfalls with the participants.

A panel discussion moderated by Ms. Audrey Bonsu and Mr. Richmond Armah gave the panelists – Mr. Thomas Boateng Appiagyei (CEO – Rock Chemists and the former past president of PSGH), Dr. Naana Aboagye Asare (Hospital Manager – Ports Medical Center) and Dr Herman Yobo Addae (CEO – Lead-It Africa) the opportunity to throw more light on questions posed by participants on leadership, professional advancement, mentorship and job creation.

The immediate past president of the Society, Mr Ben Botwe also shared a few thoughts on pharmacists identifying and carving out a niche if they desired to stand out within the industry.

Dr Delese Mimi Darko, the CEO of FDA also gave some few pointers about the need to strive to be better versions of ourselves each day, focusing on our personal potential and not by comparison.

Other senior colleagues present were Miss Eunice Ofosuaa Amoako, the immediate past KNUST Alumna Global President, Dr Christian Arthur, a past PSGH President (1999-2001) and Mr Richard Odor, CEO of TopUp Pharmacy.

The forum, hosted by Ms. Audrey Serwaa Bonsu, served as the third in this series and was held on Thursday 20th July, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Hotel.

It was sponsored by some Pharmaceutical (Ernest Chemists Ltd, Pharmatrust, Drews Pharmacy, Hale Pharmacy) and non-pharmaceutical companies (AGL, Sofaamy, M’aseda).