Sailing through the waves of Pharmacy school’s early years, the volume and complexity of the courses, the repeated testing of integrative learning and the precision required in iterative problem-solving challenges ignited profound anticipation for the White Coat Ceremony. For half-decade of unrelenting expectation, the 21st of February saw to the glorious quench of such anticipation. The wait was over!

The event, materializing eventually on the 21st of February, 2025, was held at the university’s most prestigious building, Great Hall, and commenced at 10 a.m. prompt as students and faculty filled the space with palpable energy. The fifth year students – honored as the ceremony’s central figures – were embellished in refined, professional attire and decked in jewelry reflecting the celebrative atmosphere and profound significance this event held in their academic journey. The excitement, thrill, and satisfaction from the students radiated across the room, their smiles beaming endlessly.

The first speaker needed no introduction – he was like family to the students – and it was a privilege to have him inaugurate the ceremony. As part of our historical gravitas to an irrefutable verity, KNUST remains the leading school in pharmacy education. The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Asare-Nkansah, attested to this truth emphasizing in his own words,

“The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST is the premier Pharmacy school in Ghana and the leader in pharmaceutical innovations.”

– Prof. Samuel Asare-Nkansah

He continued, sharing his wisdom and expertise as he spoke in the language of the students.

The WHO Technical Officer for Quality and Patient Safety, Dr. Angela Ackon, who served as the keynote speaker spoke with passion as she delivered her wealth of experience to the students. With pharmacy professionals having the six major roles to fulfill, the ones that caught her attention were: effective patient counselling and up-to-par clinical services. She highlighted the pressing need for effective education of patients on everything they needed to know about their medications and added,

“Ghana has been involved together with countries like India, UK, Kenya, and so many other countries. Where the intervention here is to educate patients about their medicines’ side effects and adherence in a structured and systematic manner.”

– Dr. Angela Ackon

She moved on to Quality Improvement initiatives where she deliberated on the ongoing efforts to monitor, assess, modify and improve therapy regimens to ensure they can effectively optimize the patient’s health. She continued saying,

 

“Quality Improvement Initiatives involve systematic efforts to enhance Healthcare delivery, focused on improving processes and outcomes in the healthcare we provide to patients.”

– Dr. Angela Ackon

Her insights visibly inspired the students with every face lit in newfound dedication.

The essential awareness of the White Coat ceremony is to serve as a formal passage into the clinical practice of pharmacy allowing the transition from theoretical studies to clinical service. The crash-course comprehension of the White Coat ceremony is the gowning ceremony. And there it was! Starched white with sharpness, the stage held its breath in silent glow as it continuously radiated professionalism at its finest where lecturers stood adorned in pharmacy’s richest emblem – the crisp white lab coat.

In reverence to the meticulous nature of the healthcare system, this session was methodically and coherently performed. A number of impeccably dressed lecturers stood on the stage in precise formation, shoulder to shoulder yet perfectly spaced – they looked like a living ruler stretched across the stage. The students were called to the front sequentially by index number matching the number of lectures on the stage. Each student walking to the stage in celebratory strokes had their neatly pressed lab-coats emblazoned with their names and folded precisely over an arm – each crease a vow to their meticulous profession. Reaching the stage, the impeccably professional lecturers gowned the students before them in their respective lab-coats officially conferring the distinguished appearance that gleamed from the stage. Afterwards, the students bowed to the audience and resumed their seat. On and on the procession flowed until the final group was summoned. The oath was the sworn to culminate this session with a last statement made by the students in a chorus chant,

“I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy”.

– Rx 26

There was a special twist in this year’s White Coat Ceremony; there was the special recognition awards for outstanding students in each department and overall top student. Over the course of six years, examinations are conducted and scores awarded in a cumulative fashion. The special awards ceremony saw to award the student who had the best cumulative weighted average and students who cumulatively had outstanding performance in each of the five departments over the course of the four years. They knew it was coming but the suspense was heated! Obviously in times of awards, it was best to eliminate oneself so an astonishment would be better than a shock. The drums thundered in crescendo with each rhythm compounding the suspense until it was shattered – a name was called.

Delali Akusika Dotse was awarded the Best in Pharmacy Practice. She was met with a standing ovation from the audience in praise of her achievement. George Oduro Owusu was awarded the Best in Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy. He was called again for the Best in Pharmaceutical Chemistry award! Here, the standing ovation transformed into a deafening roar, a physical wave of sound that vibrated all seats. He turned out to be the most decorated student at the White Coat Ceremony. Then the Primus Inter Pares, Yahaya Mubarik Mbeinba, was awarded the Best in Pharmaceutics award and took the most coveted prize for the day being pronounced as the overall Best PharmD student. In adulation, some students bowed, others cheered, others screamed – emotions got wild – then a resounding standing ovation with a primal roar that detonated through the Hall like sonic tsunami. A hurricane of euphoria combusted in the mix of atmosphere as the students, guests, and all present screamed their reverence. The Summa Cum Laude was seen.

The awards ceremony did not culminate the day because the students had their own version on how the end should be written. They attended the ceremony not only exquisitely dressed but also in a dazzling array of high-end automobiles which they displayed at the end of the ceremony in a convoy. From the Great Hall to the Faculty of Pharmacy building, the convoy advanced in procession blasting their horns in celebration of a day well spent. Arriving at the Pharmacy building, the students cut the commemorative cake and proceeded to immortalize the memories in series of photographs. This is what by their books, deemed an official conclusion.

Reported by – Mariam Pinaman Agyemang (Rx 27)