Welcome to the first issue of the 11th African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) newsletter.
In this issue we give you a brief overview of the symposium with a brief history of our beautiful and hospitable country Ghana.
There is a short inspiring message from the chairperson of the Reception Committee and re-introduction of our hardworking and skillful Reception Committee.
We give insight on our logo and what the different details reperesent
We give you first hand information on what to expect during the main symposium ,including the different workshops and competitions.
We shed some light on the different funfilled events that would take place during the symposium There is also a little preview on the tourist site we would visit on our mini adventure i e the Post Symposium Tour.
To help understand the culture of Ghana better, we provide a litttle help by giving you a couple of do’s and don’ts for your survival
When all is said and done, we hope that after reading this issue you would be as excited as we are about the upcoming African Pharmaceitical Symposium.
We can’t wait to welcome you to The Black Star of Africa with open arms.
AfibaPolley,MediaandPublicRelations Coordinator
SamuelNtow-Aninkora,Mediaand PublicRelationsCoordinator
We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. – Franklin D Roosevelt.
This quote encompasses the overall aims and vision of youth and student led organizations like the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association and the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation Eventually, all we do is geared towards inspiring young leaders and enabling them to gather the requisite knowledge, skill and finesse required to solve the unending challenges our world faces especially in the space of healthcare.
The 11th IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium is going to be like no other The Regional Working Group, together with the Reception Committee is putting together a symposium that gives opportunities for networking, enhances career prospects and development, helps young leaders to acquire knowledge and develop skills that will be beneficial for their growth. We have lined up seasoned experts and professionals that will guide and help lead conversations centred on the theme; ‘’The evolution of Pharmacy practice: Innovation and Capacity building’’. You definitely cannot miss out on this.
Visit our website www.11thafps.org for more information and sign up for the newsletters.
We look forward to hosting you in our beautiful country. Akwaaba (welcome) to the land of Gold!!!
Priscilla Owusu-Mensah Vice-Chairperson
Jennifer
Selorm Kodzo-Kuma Agbenorhevi, Education & Scientific Coordinator
Irene Taddese, PST Coordinator
Afiba Polley, Media and Public Relations Coordinator
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Adinkra symbol arch: Symbols from Ghana that represent concepts or aphorisms. Blackstar Gate: Commisioned by Kwame Nkrumah to indicate Ghana’s supreme power to control it’s own affairs. 11Th African Pharmaceutical Symposium with a red and yellow capsule to symbolize pharmacy. Country and city where the symposium is being held. Red, yellow and Green used to represent the colours of the Ghana Flag.
Ghana formerly know as the Gold Coast, is a country in West Africa located north of the Equator between Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. In 1957 it became the first Sub-Saharan African country in colonial Africa to gain it’s independence. It is a country considered to have one of the most thriving democracies in Africa and is the second-largest gold and cocoa producer. Ghana has rich history and culture and immense natural wealth.
Ghana has an estimated population of 30 million with over a hundred ethnic groups each with it’s own unique language. English however is the official language, a legacy of British colonial rule.
Ghanaians are well known for their warmth ,generosity and hospitality.
Accraisthecapitalcity ofGhana.Itisacity withamixof 19th centurycolonial architecture,modern Skycrapersanddusty shantytowns. Ithasbeautiful beaches,monumental buildings,museums, libraries,galleries, traditionalmarketsand avibrantnightlifethat offerssomethingfor everyone. Accraishometo must-seehistorical sitessuchasthe KwameNkrumah Mausoleum,Ghana NationalMuseumand theIndependence Square.
Don’t use your left hand: in the Ghanaian culture the left hand is considered dirty and reserved for hygienic tasks in the bathroom. It is therefore extremely disrespectful to offer your left hand when interacting with people.
Don’t smoke in public spaces. Dont drink tap water Don’t sniff food or beverages offered to you
Greet: Greeting is very important to Ghanaians. Greeting when arriving or meeting someone is a must Learn a few “Twi” words: Ghanaians love to hear foreigners speak their language. Try to learn “hello”, “how are you?” And “thank you“ in Twi Respect: the culture of respecting the elderly is very much ingrained in the Ghanaian society
The Leaders in Training (LIT) program consists of a series of workshops and other hands-on activities which are held in order to imbue pharmacy students and recent pharmacy graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective team management. This year’s LIT is a three-day online event that will take participants through workshops, presentations and team exercises which address effective communication, policy development, time and project management, and conflict resolution in a variety of situations. Although most leadership roles tend to be localized, special attention will also be given to multinational collaboration and cooperation, in order to strengthen international bonds, which are necessary for improving the state of pharmaceutical care delivery across the continent as a whole
Thisyear’ssymposiumispackedwithworkshopsand plenarysessionsthatarespecificallydesignedto equipparticipantswiththeknowledgeandskillsto solveAfricanproblems,usingamixtureoflocaland foreignresourceswithanAfricantwist.
Workshopswilldiscussproblemssuchasthe underutilizationoftechnologyinpharmacypractice, thepitfallslikelytobeencounteredwhile implementingtheneededtechnologies,andpotential solutionstotheaforementionedpitfalls.
Again,neglectedtropicaldiseases,malariaandtheriseinincidenceratesfornon-communicable diseasessuchaschronickidneydiseaseandhypertensionwillbeaddressed.Anothermajorissue facinghealthcareinAfrica,namely,healtheconomicsanduniversalhealthcarecoveragewillbe extensivelydiscussedbyourfacilitators.
There will be five competitions which will be held throughout the symposium:
Patient counselling event
A poster presentation on special issues of concern in African healthcare Hackathon
Each competition will have specially crafted questions which are intended to thoroughly test the critical thinking and analytical capabilities of the contestants
With the exception of the poster presentation and the hackathon, all other competitions will have two different difficulty levels: beginner and advanced. This is to ensure fairness for interested delegates who may be in their junior years.
Our public health campaign will be primarily centered on non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and hypertension. A subset of participants will also engage in sexual and reproductive health education, with special emphasis on HIV and the top three commonest sexually transmitted infections in (West) Africa. The main audience for the sexual and reproductive health campaign will be students at the senior high and tertiary education levels, as these populations are frequently introduced to sexual acts at this time of their lives.
A party to welcome participants to the symposium and to Ghana.This event is done to give participants the chance to mingle, make new friends, and to rekindle old relationships.
The symposium is officially launched at the opening ceremony. At this ceremony, the reception committee will be introduced to the participants. Flagging of member organizations is one of the major highlight done during this ceremony. Special guests from various countries will also be available to grace the event.
The Ghanaian night is a chance for participants to become fully immersed in the distinctive and rich cultural legacy of Ghana. Delegates will be treated to delectable local cuisine and will learn a few cultural dances. The delegates will enjoy an authentic Ghanaian experience.
The international night is an opportunity for representing countries to exhibit their lovely cultures, enlighten and educate other participants about the most remarkable aspects of their cultures. The international night is a platform that supports intercultural mingling, which fosters,respect, and harmony This event will be held in conjunction with the auction night where funds will be generated for the federation
The social event is aimed at giving back to society and ensuring that the symposium benefits communities. It involves an outreach to schools, markets and other establishments in the society. Activities include health screening, public education and donation of items to these establishments. The event seeks to address key health issues in the society and to contribute to bridging of the gap in health care issues in certain parts of society.
The Gala night is a night of glitz and glam. Awards for exceptional performances or accomplishments are given to member organizations and individuals at the Gala night.
It serves as a farewell to some of the delegates The Gala night can be viewed as the Closing Ceremony of the symposium.
Visiting the Elmina castle will heighten the experience of slave trade,the impact of which is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Originally, Elmina Castle was not built for the purpose of holding and trading slaves, but instead as a trading post for gold and other African goods. It is from this trade that the name "Elmina" was derived from the Portuguese name for "Da Costa de el Mina de Ouro" (The Coast of Gold Mines).
A rainforest reserve with a canopy walkway tucked away in the Assin Attandanso.The best place for natur lovers. The park’s best-known featu undoubtedly its 7 suspension bridge which form a 333-meter long canop walkway, suspended up to 27 meter above the forest floor from trees tha are over 300 years old.
The symposium is happening between 13th July and 23rd July 2022.
All pharmacy students and recent graduates can attend the symposium.
No. Payment for the main symposium is done once. That is the earlier you pay, the cheaper you get it.
It will depend on the country you are coming from. ECOWAS countries are VISA free. Kindly check with your country's immigration or passport office to confirm if you will need a VISA to Ghana.
Kindly reach out to the Contact Person (CP) of your association for assistance
Is the Post Symposium Tour (PST) and Leaders in Training (LIT) included in the registration fee?
No. These events are not mandatory to attend. However, you have to attend the main symposium in order to attend the LIT or PST. You cannot attend LIT or PST without attending the main symposium.
Members would be required to pay the amount stated in addition to the registration fee is they wish to attend the PST AND LIT.
Is air ticket included in the registration fee?
No. The registration fee only includes food, accommodation and transportation in Ghana during symposium.
VISA information : Kindly check on the AfPS website for all countries that would require a VISA.
All participants must have taken the COVID vaccine before coming to Ghana.
Will there be an airport pick up? Yes
Are there any considerations with food?
Yes. Provisions will be made with those with food restrictions such as allergies or Halal. However, kindly indicate that when filling the forms.
Will I be reimbursed if I have a constraint to make the trip?
Kindly refer to the Cancellation policy
Can
No you can’t. All payments will have to be made prior to arrival. However, arrangements can be made in special circumstances for payment to be made on arrival. Contact the finance officer and the Chairperson if need be.
Ghana is a very peaceful country. The hotel you would be lodging at has security systems and a 24 hour private security in place. However, ministry of interior and relevant state agencies will also be notified.
Kindly visit the AfPS website to register.
If the 11th IPSF AfPS is cancelled due to any natural occurrences such as COVID - 19, 100% of the Registration Fee will be refunded. This refund is not inclusive of any bank handling/transfer fee that may incur at any respective banks..
Please note that any bank handling/transfer fee will be deducted from the total amount of the registration fee refunded.
Once notification of cancellation is received by the Reception Committee, confirmation of refund and further instructions on the transfer of registration fee will be sent to you within 10 days.
Please note that replacements and name changes should be handled by the affected parties and submitted to the RC at short notice, the deadline for the name change is no later than 30th May 2023.
In the case that the participant does not obtain a VISA after registration no refund will be possible.
What clothes should I bring?
Formal clothes
Dinner clothes
Casual clothes Native clothes
Will there be a certificate?
Yes, Certificates will be awarded to participants who attend at least 80% of events held during the main symposium.
Where is the Accommodation or the hotel for the symposium?
Hillview guest centre
Thank you for reading our newsletter.
If you enjoyed it, you can sign up for our next issue through our website www.11thafps.org.
We would also appreciate if you would follow us on Twitter and instagram @afps23gh.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful country.
We would like to wish you a happy and prosperous new year.