Cave Hill-Ghana Medical Programme Celebrates Historic First
August 4, 2026
Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Dr. Damian Cohall and pins Fafa Hanson, first cohort of the Clinical Sciences programme
Three years after leaving her homeland and travelling an estimated 4,000 miles to Barbados to pursue a pioneering medical education programme at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Fafa Hanson has earned her place in the history books. The 22-year-old is the first student from Ghana to complete the preclinical phase of the joint medical degree programme between the Campus and the University of Ghana.
The achievement was celebrated during a White Coat and Pinning Ceremony hosted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences in July. The event was attended by her father, Bennette Armah Hanson, who travelled from Accra for the special occasion. Following the official ceremony he proudly presented his daughter with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Members of her church family in Barbados, close friends, and representatives of the university community were on hand to celebrate the achievement.
Hanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Preclinical Sciences from Cave Hill and returns to Ghana for the clinical phase of her training. Upon successful completion she will be awarded the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree by the University of Ghana.
At the ceremony, Hanson described her time at Cave Hill as both challenging and rewarding. While she acknowledged the pressures that came with being the programme’s first student, she said the experience taught her the importance of perseverance and pushing beyond self-imposed limits.
“This journey has taught me that every time we think we’ve cracked the wall in our minds or capabilities, there is always another shell underneath that can crack again and again and again until there’s no limit to the shells that can crack in us. So, in the end, working hard and staying focused is rewarding.”
Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore described Hanson as a pioneer whose experiences will help shape the future of the programme.
“Much of what the faculty now knows about this degree, it knows because of your experience, Ms. Hanson,” he said, praising her willingness to venture into uncharted territory.
Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Sandra Husbands stated the partnership between the two universities reflects the deepening relationship between Barbados and Ghana, and aligns with broader efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation. She commended the leadership of The UWI for looking beyond traditional boundaries.
“You’ve seen beyond the four walls of this university. You’ve seen beyond the Caribbean region. And you started to look at how you’re going to define yourself in the wider space and make a tremendous difference to all of us.”
Minister Husbands said Barbados is keen to deepen collaboration with Ghana in education, trade, culture, foreign policy, and research, and pledged her ministry’s continued support as the programme expands and welcomes future cohorts of students.
Hanson’s achievement comes amid growing interest in the transnational programme, which has seen an increase in applications, according to Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Damian Cohall.
He pointed to the longstanding historical and cultural ties between Bridgetown and Accra as an important foundation for the partnership and appealed to Hanson and future medical professionals to embrace emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies while maintaining sound clinical judgment.
Dean Cohall also shared some words of advice:
“Before you started this programme here at The UWI, there was a desire to become a medical practitioner. Let that flame continue to be lit as you continue to progress through the next three years of your training.”
Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Professor Jeanese Badenock congratulated Hanson and reaffirmed her faculty’s commitment to supporting the programme and future collaborations with the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
