Our History

The vision of setting up the University of Ghana Medical Centre LTD (UGMC) was nurtured both by historical events as well as the current needs of the University of Ghana.

This originated at the inception of the University of Ghana Medical School in 1964 when the University entertained the notion of establishing a 'Medical Village' of excellence on Legon campus for training all categories of health professionals for the country.

UGMC Historical Image

Key Milestones

1964
The Seed is Planted

The University of Ghana Medical School is established, and the notion of a 'Medical Village' of excellence on Legon campus is born. Over 400 acres of University land are allocated for the project.

1974–2007
Building the Foundation

Health education expands: Dental School (1974), School of Public Health (1994), Allied Health Sciences (2000), Nursing (2003), and Pharmacy (2007). Together they form the College of Health Sciences in 2000.

2012
The Contract is Signed

The Government of Ghana acquires a loan from Israel for the UGMC project. The commercial contract is signed by the Ministry of Health in November 2012.

2013
Construction Begins

Construction commences during the tenure of late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, with Sheba Medical Centre (Israel) as medical planning consultants.

2017
Phase I Inaugurated

Phase I of the UGMC Project is inaugurated by former President John Mahama, marking a major milestone in Ghana's healthcare infrastructure.

2018
Operations Begin

Under President Nana Akufo-Addo, partial operations begin in Paediatric, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Family Medicine clinics. Laboratory and Ambulance services are also launched.

2019
Rapid Expansion

181 additional staff recruited (67% medical personnel). New services added: General Surgery, Cardiology, Urology, Emergency Medicine, Diagnostics, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, and Ophthalmology.

UGMC Building

Growing Every Day

Whilst awaiting the signing of the commercial agreement to kick-start Phase II of the Project, the Centre began partial operations in 2018. Services commenced in three OPD clinics, Paediatric, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Family Medicine, as well as in the OPD Pharmacy.

Laboratory and Ambulance services were also launched whilst Administrative, Human Resource, Finance, Customer Relations, Accounting, Maintenance, I.T. support systems and service protocols were implemented to enable the Centre to scale up on the services provided.

In November 2019, one hundred and eighty-one (181) additional staff, of which 67% are medical personnel, were recruited and appointed by the Centre, bringing a wide range of new specialities online.