UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
The co-creation of an institutionalized CHS Mentoring System Phase II workshop
Under the auspices of the provost, Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, the College of Health Sciences is co-creating an institutionalized mentoring system to support staff and faculty. This process started with a co-creation phase I workshop involving staff and student representatives held on March 27, 2025. Phase II of this co-creation workshop took place on April 25, 2025 and reviewed discussions from the previous meeting and focused on institutionalization, Al solutions, and funding opportunities.
Mentoring Needs & Solutions
Dr. Dzifa Abra Attah, senior lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, presented on the identified gaps in mentoring for faculty, junior staff, administrative staff, research assistants, clinical staff, and students. Suggested solutions included developing a manual, incentives for mentors, a framework/prototype for institutionalization with variations to meet diverse needs.
Institutionalization
Dr. Clementine Odei, Head of Unit, UGMS Clinic, presented on a proposed prototype including a mentorship committee, mentoring unit, and organogram, and the need to develop policies, processes, and structures to support the mentorship system, which is essential for the sustainability of a mentorship program.
Al in Mentorship
Mr. Richard Otieku-Boadu, Head, CHS IT Unit, presented on the potential of Al to address challenges like mentor shortages and accessibility. Automated matching of mentors and mentees and scheduling of meetings were suggested as potential Al applications.
Funding Opportunities
Nana Oye Akuffo, Senior Research Development Officer, College of Health Sciences Grants Management Office. presented on funding opportunities for mentorship. She encouraged staff to share funding opportunities with students and colleagues, conduct regular email checks as funding opportunities are shared regularly, and network to access resources for mentorship
Prof. Ayeh-Kumi, former provost of the CHS, was present at the event and moderated a brainstorming session on the next steps.
. Establish the CHS mentorship unit
• Manualize the mentorship procedures
• Automatizing mentoring processes
Continuous Mentorship awareness creation
• Dean, Directors and HOD engagement
• Capacity building for staff
• Publish the co-creation process
This workshop was made possible with support from the University of Ghana Grant office scheme. the College of Health Sciences and West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC)
