By Zubair Khan

On 26.01.2013, in a very festive and graceful ceremony, organized in British Council Hall Accra, certificates and medals were awarded to successful participants of the oral implantology course.  It was the first ever course of its nature which was financially sponsored by Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission (AMM) Ghana and Across Service Germany. The prestigious event was chaired by Provost of Ghana University representing the Vice Chancellor. Director General of ministry of health represented the health minister and delivered the key note address. Deputy Head of German Mission Mr Thomas Wimmer represented her Excellency, awarded the medals to participants and delivered a short speech. Mr Abdullah Wagishauser, Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Germany, Dr Bajwa, director of AMS and Mr Toralf Alert, Managing Director of Across-Service along with the coordinator of the course joined the event from Germany.  During the short speeches and course review the services of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Ghana were highlighted and tremendously praised. In addition to print media, TV and radio also covered the event. Ghana national TV aired the coverage of ceremony in its all news bulletin on 27.01.2013. Above 121 participants including AMM Ghana office bearers and dignitaries from various segments of Ghanaian society graced the event with their blessed presence. Program continued for good about 3 hours including refreshments for the participants. Some interesting figures and facts also have been released by the course facilitators.

Some Interesting figures about the course:

• Ghana was visited by AMS/Across Service Team 7 times. Each time involving 17 hours (coming and going back) flight time. 29 tickets were purchased for all the trips and 493 man hours spent only in flight.
• Discussions and meetings were organized for 263 hours. Class lectures, hands on training and other practical were carried out for 64 hours. Each module, (total were four modules) concluded with multiple choice test.
• Almost 1184 emails and 721 telephone calls were made in connection with the course.
• Meetings were held with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, DG health services, Dental School authorities, 37-Military Hospital, medical directorate GHQ, German Embassy and Chief of Defense Staff.
• Course started with 19 doctors including two colonels of military, one from Gambia and one from Nigeria. Due to exigencies of Services one left after first module. All other qualified with good result which shows the interest taken by the participants.
• Total cost of the course was approximately 200,000.00 Euro. Across Service engaged German Firms for the provision of training material.  The biggest cash part of course sponsorship was taken over by AMM Ghana. Additionally the AMM Ghana supported the transport, boarding, lodging, entertainment, liaison with local governmental departments. A full time coordinator Dr Alhaj Muhammad Bin Ibrahim was provided by the Mission for all the visits of AMS/Across Service Teams. He worked tirelessly and proved to be great help and assistance for AMS/Across Service. Inaugural and closing ceremonies were exclusively organized by AMM Ghana.
• Dental school authorities specially the Dean and Vice Dean also deserve special thanks. Professor Dr Nyako remained the main inspiration to go ahead with the course. In his personality one can find a human being with an earnest and sincere wish of advance education for his country fellow beings. His practical contributions as well 24 hours services for this course remained a beacon of light for all. He is extremely motivated and nodded positively to offer all the assistance for such training in future. His other team members were also excellent.
• Through Dr Alhaj Muhammad bin Ibrahim the Ministry of Health (MOH) extended full assistance and cooperation for the success of this course. Provision of transport, trouble free import of training material facilitated the smooth running of the course. Chief Director MOH seems to be quite impressed by the performance and willing to enter in to agreement with AMS/Across service for the uplift of all the dimensions of dentistry field of Ghana.

Graduating participants of the course

Ameer of AMJ, Germany awarding certificates

Deputy Head of German Mission, Ghana awarding medals

Ameer of AMM Ghana awarding certificates