A decade-long collaboration between the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Toronto (U of T) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is transforming primary healthcare training in Ghana, equipping frontline healthcare workers with specialized skills.

The findings of this initiative were recently published in Frontiers in Medicine and featured in the March 2025 Newsletter by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada.

The study details how the initiative co-created and delivered five short courses on Palliative Care, Quality Improvement, Prehospital and Community Emergency Care, and Epidemic Preparedness.

These courses accredited by Ghana’s professional bodies, have benefited nearly 100 Ghanaian primary care professionals and granting participants Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points,

The research employed a co-creation model, guided by the AHC’s principles of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

The process began with a stakeholder needs assessment, engaging experts from the Ghana Health Service, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to identify training gaps.

Faculty from KNUST and U of T then collaborated virtually to develop course content, ensuring it was tailored to Ghana’s healthcare needs.

A comprehensive evaluation plan was also implemented, utilizing end-of-course surveys, interviews, and focus groups to assess course effectiveness.

Participants praised the training for its practical application and real-world relevance, with many advocating for broader dissemination, particularly in rural and underserved areas.