The Government of Ghana, on Friday February 9, 2018, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Thumbay Group, a leading Dubai based conglomerate, 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 Ghana, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, paid a working visit to the campus and facilities of the Thumbay Group and the Gulf Medical University at Ajman, United Arab Emirates at the invitation of the authorities.
The Gulf Medical University is estimated to cost about $600 million in phases over a period of 5 to 8 years and it is expected to be sited on a 25-acre plot of land provided by the Government of Ghana and will employ about 3,000 people, and in addition to attracting a student population of over 3,000 from around 80 countries.
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 would also provide opportunities for local hospitals through cross-referrals and partnerships.
The Ministers of Education and Health, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, respectively signed on behalf of the government while the President of the Thumbay Group, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, signed for his company, at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
Before the signing ceremony, the Vice President commended 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 health care delivery,” he said.
“It is also a demonstration of confidence in Ghana, and we encourage other companies and organizations to take advantage of the enabling environment Government is providing to put down roots and set up business in Ghana,” he added.
Before the signing ceremony, the Vice President commended 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 health care delivery,” he said.
“It is also a demonstration of confidence in Ghana, and we encourage other companies and organizations to take advantage of the enabling environment Government is providing to put down roots and set up business in Ghana,” he added.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen the CEO of Dubai-based Thumbay Group
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, Ghana is the best 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,” Dr. Moideen stated.
Also present at the ceremony were the Minister for Aviation, Hon Cecilia Abena Dapaah and Ghana’s Consul-General to the United Arab Emirates, H.E Hajia Samata Gifty Bukari.
Source: otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
