The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) has reiterated that professional regulation is not a limitation on the freedoms of optometrists but rather the foundation upon which professionalism, ethical practice, and competence are built.
Speaking at the University of Cape Coast’s (UCC) School of Optometry and Vision Sciences’ maiden White Coat Ceremony, the Deputy Registrar of the AHPC, Mr. Daniel Atta-Nyarko, emphasized that regulation is essential to safeguarding public trust and elevating the standards of optometric practice in Ghana.
“Professional regulation is not a constraint on our professional freedom. It is the foundation upon which our professional freedom is built,” Mr. Atta-Nyarko noted.
“It is the mechanism through which we demonstrate our commitment to excellence, our respect for the trust placed in us, and our dedication to the noble mission of preserving and enhancing the precious gift of sight.”
He further explained that optometry in Ghana has evolved from merely providing basic optical services to becoming a respected healthcare profession leading eye care advancements in West Africa.
“Professional regulation in clinical optometric training operates through multiple interconnected mechanisms that collectively safeguard the quality of our profession,” he added.
Representing the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA), Dr. Paa Kwesi Fynn Hope called on students to embrace empathy, innovation, and lifelong learning as pillars of their practice, noting “Your white coat is more than symbolic. It is a declaration of service, trust, and responsibility. You are now stewards of sight and ambassadors of empathy.”
Dr. Fynn Hope encouraged the students to prioritize patient-centered care and continuously advance their knowledge in emerging technologies, stressing “Optometry is evolving rapidly. Avoid complacency, choose curiosity. Engage in outreaches, research, policy making, and practices that bridge the gap in access to vision care.”
In a statement delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Health’s Ghana Eye Secretariat, Dr. Hornametor Afeke underscored the importance of eye care as a crucial component of Ghana’s primary health care system.
“Optometry is not supplementary; it is essential. When effectively integrated into Ghana’s primary health care system, optometrists improve outcomes, ease the burden on tertiary care and extend services to those who need them most ,” he stated.
He further stressed the urgent need to implement Ghana’s draft National Eye Health Policy to ensure equitable service delivery and improve health outcomes across the country.
“Our vision is clear, a Ghana where every child sees the blackboard, where every artisan perfects their charts without visual strain, and where no elder is left in darkness due to treatable eye conditions.”
The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the efforts to promote professionalism, mentorship, and gender inclusion in the field of optometry and vision sciences in Ghana.
Read Also: UCC School of Optometry Launches Women in Vision Ghana Network to Empower Women in Academia
Source: Afote Asomdwoe Laryea/ATLFMNEWS
