Ghana surgeon graduation symbolizes medical transformation.

Closing the Gap: How Ghana's Innovative Surgeon Training Program is Transforming Healthcare

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into Ghana's in-country training model that's boosting surgeon retention, distribution, and ultimately, access to life-saving care."

For many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to quality surgical care remains a critical challenge. A shortage of trained surgeons, coupled with geographical barriers, often leaves populations underserved and facing dire health consequences. But what if a nation could turn the tide by investing in its own people and resources?

Ghana, once heavily reliant on sending its medical graduates abroad for specialist training, faced this very dilemma. The return rates were low, and the need for skilled surgeons within the country continued to grow. This prompted a bold move: the establishment of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) in 2003. Its mission? To provide comprehensive, in-country training and credentialing for specialists, including surgeons.

The GCPS initiative marked a turning point. Instead of relying on external programs, Ghana took control of its surgical training, tailoring it to the specific needs and challenges of its healthcare landscape. But how effective has this been in addressing the shortage of surgeons and improving access to surgical care? A recent study sheds light on the remarkable impact of this innovative approach.

The GCPS Impact: Retention, Distribution, and Dedication

Ghana surgeon graduation symbolizes medical transformation.

The study, which involved interviews with 117 surgeons trained through the GCPS, reveals impressive results. One of the most striking findings is the high retention rate, with 87-97% of surgeons remaining in Ghana after completing their training. This is a significant improvement compared to the low return rates seen with overseas training programs.

Beyond simply staying in the country, GCPS-trained surgeons are also making a difference in underserved areas. While 56% are practicing in the two largest cities, a notable 44% are working in higher-need regions. Furthermore, 19% of the surgeons surveyed were the first to ever serve at their current hospitals, bringing essential surgical care to communities that previously lacked it.

These surgeons are actively engaged in their communities:

Performing an average of 13 operations per week, balancing elective and emergency procedures.
Focusing on essential surgeries—cost-effective interventions with the highest population impact.
Contributing to the next generation by teaching and training medical students and other healthcare professionals (79%).
Advancing medical knowledge by participating in research (46%).

Holding administrative positions (33%), helping to shape healthcare policy and improve hospital operations. One of the key objectives of the GCPS was to produce surgeons who are not only skilled practitioners but also dedicated to serving their communities and contributing to the development of the healthcare system. The study's findings suggest that this objective is being successfully met.

A Model for the Future of Surgical Training?

The success of Ghana's in-country surgical training program offers a compelling model for other LMICs seeking to address their own healthcare challenges. By investing in local training, nations can increase surgeon retention, improve geographic distribution, and empower healthcare professionals to better serve their communities. The GCPS initiative demonstrates that with strategic planning and dedicated resources, it is possible to build a sustainable and impactful surgical workforce, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00268-018-4840-2, Alternate LINK

Title: In-Country Training By The Ghana College Of Physicians And Surgeons: An Initiative That Has Aided Surgeon Retention And Distribution In Ghana

Subject: Surgery

Journal: World Journal of Surgery

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Adam Gyedu, Sam Debrah, Kwabena Agbedinu, Stephanie K. Goodman, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Peter Donkor, Charles Mock

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What prompted the establishment of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), and what specific problem was it designed to address?

The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), established in 2003, aimed to provide comprehensive, in-country training and credentialing for medical specialists, including surgeons. This was a strategic shift from relying on sending medical graduates abroad for training, which often resulted in low return rates and a persistent shortage of skilled surgeons within Ghana.

What specific data points demonstrate the impact of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) on surgeon retention and distribution within Ghana?

A recent study involving interviews with 117 surgeons trained through the GCPS revealed a high retention rate, with 87-97% of surgeons remaining in Ghana after completing their training. Furthermore, 44% of GCPS-trained surgeons are working in higher-need regions, and 19% were the first surgeons to ever serve at their current hospitals, significantly improving access to surgical care in underserved communities.

Beyond performing surgeries, how are surgeons trained through the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) actively contributing to their communities and the broader healthcare system?

GCPS-trained surgeons are actively involved in their communities by performing an average of 13 operations per week, focusing on essential surgeries, teaching and training medical students and other healthcare professionals (79%), participating in research (46%), and holding administrative positions (33%). Their dedication extends to shaping healthcare policy and improving hospital operations, contributing to the overall development of the healthcare system.

In what ways does the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) serve as a model for other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing similar challenges in surgical care?

The success of Ghana's in-country surgical training program, particularly the GCPS initiative, offers a compelling model for other LMICs seeking to address their own healthcare challenges. By investing in local training, nations can increase surgeon retention, improve geographic distribution, and empower healthcare professionals to better serve their communities, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

What are some of the remaining challenges and areas for further development that Ghana needs to address to fully optimize the benefits of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) and its in-country surgical training model?

While the GCPS has significantly improved surgeon retention and distribution, addressing other systemic challenges is crucial. This includes investing in infrastructure, equipment, and ongoing professional development to ensure surgeons have the resources they need. Additionally, further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of the GCPS on patient outcomes and healthcare costs, as well as to identify strategies for scaling up the program and adapting it to different contexts.