The KNUST Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has ushered 295 Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students into the clinical phase of their professional training at its 10th White Coat Ceremony, held at the KNUST Great Hall on February 20, 2026.

This year’s ceremony was particularly significant as it marked the 10th anniversary of the PharmD programme at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The milestone event was celebrated under the theme, “Pharmacy, a Swiss Army Knife Degree: Leveraging Your Skills in Unexpected Fields.” The theme underscored the versatility of pharmacy education and the expanding roles of pharmacists in diverse sectors of healthcare and beyond.

In his address, Professor Christian Agyare, Provost of the KNUST College of Health Sciences, extended warm congratulations to the Faculty, its leadership, staff, students, alumni, and partners for reaching the decade milestone. He described the White Coat Ceremony as a defining moment in the academic and professional journey of PharmD students.

 

 

“It marks a defining rite of passage into the final two years of the six-year professional training—years that demand deeper commitment to the values of integrity, ethical responsibility, service, and clinical competence that define the pharmacy profession,” he stated.

Professor Agyare further charged the students to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Faculty, the College, the University, and the pharmacy profession. He encouraged them to uphold the values of integrity, compassion, excellence, and lifelong learning as they advance toward professional practice.

The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Samuel Asare Nkansah, commended the students for their resilience and dedication throughout the pre-clinical phase of their studies. He emphasized that the white coat symbolizes trust, accountability, and professional responsibility.

“You are expected to apply your expertise to optimize therapy, promote medication safety, and contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary healthcare teams,” he advised.

 

 

Delivering a keynote admonition, Dr. Emmanuel Eghan, an alumnus of the Faculty and a seasoned public health and pharmaceutical leader, urged the students to cultivate critical thinking and maintain a positive self-image. Quoting, “As a person thinks, so he is,” he encouraged them to believe in their capabilities as future healthcare leaders.

 

 

The ceremony climaxed with an awards session recognizing outstanding academic performance in the pre-clinical phase of the PharmD programme. Miss Janet Amissah Kwarteng was adjudged the Overall Best Pre-Clinical Student and also received top honours in the Departments of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice. Miss Alexandria Zinye Balangtaa was named Best Student in the Department of Pharmacology, Miss Patricia Rachael Afful received the award for Best Student in the Department of Pharmacognosy, while Joseph Dano was recognized as Best Student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

 

 

The 10th White Coat Ceremony not only celebrated academic excellence but also reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to training competent, ethical, and versatile pharmacists equipped to make meaningful contributions across multiple spheres of healthcare and society.