The Government of Ghana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai-based Thumbay Group for the establishment of a Teaching Hospital and a medical university to be known as the Gulf Medical University (GMU) in Ghana.

The signing of the MoU comes three months after the Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, paid a working visit to the campus of the Thumbay Group and the Gulf Medical University at Ajman, the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of the authorities.

The Thumbay Group is expected to collaborate with the Ministries of Education and Health to build and establish the Ghana campus of the Gulf Medical University and the Thumbay Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, in phases over a period of 5 to 8 years, at an estimated cost of $600 million.

The proposed university would offer Vocational, Diploma, Undergraduate, Post Graduate, and Doctoral programmes in Medical Sciences, Allied Health Sciences among other disciplines to Ghanaian and International students.

It is expected to employ about 3000 Ghanaians in addition to attracting a student population of over 3000 from around 80 countries. It would also provide opportunities for local hospitals through cross-referrals and partnerships.

It is expected to be sited on a 25-acre plot of land provided by the Government of Ghana.

Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Education and Kwaku Agyemang Manu, Minister for Health, signed on behalf of Ghana, while Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of the Thumbay Group initialed the MoU at a brief ceremony witnessed by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the Flagstaff House on Friday, February 9, 2018.

Also present at the ceremony were the Minister for Aviation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah and Ghana’s Consul-General to the United Arab Emirates, H.E Hajia Samata Gifty Bukari.

In brief remarks before the signing ceremony, the Vice President lauded the Thumbay Group for its decision to set up the medical university and the hospital in Ghana, saying it fits into President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision to provide first class health care to Ghanaians while providing enhanced training to medical personnel.

“We are very happy with the proposed establishment of this medical university, as well as the Thumbay Hospital, as it will help to train more doctors and allied medical personnel and fill in the gap in our healthcare delivery.

“It is also a demonstration of confidence in Ghana, and we encourage other companies and organisations to take advantage of the enabling environment Government is providing to put down roots and set up business in Ghana” Vice President Bawumia added.

Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Ghana, Dr. Thumbay Moideen said the Thumbay Group had explored the possibility of setting up such a facility in several African countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya, but failed due to a number of factors.

“From the research done by our team in Africa- we have been to almost all countries – Ghana is the best place to do business” Dr. Thumbay indicated.

“Ghana is a serious place to do business and we are happy to be here. We pledge to fulfill our part of this agreement to ensure the University and Hospital are built to benefit both Ghana and the Thumbay Group.”

The Thumbay Group, is a UAE – based diversified international business conglomerate, headquartered in Dubai, with operations across 20 sectors including Education, Healthcare, Medical Research, Diagnostics, Retail Pharmacy, Health Communications, Retail Opticals, Wellness, Nutrition Stores, Hospitality, Real Estate, Publishing, Technology, Media, Events, Medical Tourism and Trading.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana