I was born and raised in Ghana. I have a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and I'm married with a six-year-old kid.
Since 2010, I've worked for Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which is the National Medicines Regulatory Agency (NMRA). My principal job responsibility as a senior regulatory officer at the FDA's Drugs Inspectorate Department is to perform Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections at pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about the safety of the medicines we use. Medication is an essential element of many people's lives. Medications are used to treat illnesses and enhance overall health. Medicines, despite their advantages, carry several risks and should not be left without control.
I believe regulators such as myself must use sound scientific reasoning when balancing potential advantages against recognised risks.
What inspired you to study this degree?
My motivation for pursuing this programme stems from a strong desire to exhibit knowledge and expertise in the execution of GMP inspections, both locally and globally. The Master of Good Manufacturing Practice enables me to gain sufficient ability in the subject area to do this.
It's a one-of-a-kind qualification. No GMP inspector in the NMRA in Ghana possesses this exact qualification, I expect to be a significant resource in educating other GMP inspectors within the organisation. I hope to contribute more effectively to the fulfilment of our public health duty to the Ghanaian people.
Why did you choose to study at UTS?
I started by looking for a respectable university that provides a postgraduate degree in GMP. In my research, I found that UTS stood out as the top pick among all colleges globally that offer the programme.
Admission to the programme was not entirely based on the established academic qualifications. Prospective students were also offered the opportunity based on an evaluation of general and professional qualifications that demonstrated the capacity to pursue graduate courses.
UTS' collaboration with SeerPharma in course delivery guarantees that the training is research-based and practical. Because I had no practical experience in pharmaceutical manufacture, this made it the ideal fit for me.
What are you learning about?
So far, I've studied a variety of in-depth modules on topics such as contamination control in the pharmaceutical sector, risk management, effective aseptic procedures, and validation principles and methods, among others.
What I find most important is that I am being taught "how" to achieve GMP compliance within the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries, which is significant because GMP principles largely dictate "what" and not "how" to achieve GMP compliance.
How do you balance postgrad study alongside your other commitments?
Because of the way the course is designed, it is very simple to manage the rigours of postgraduate study with my family, social, and other responsibilities.
Two days a week, tutorials and lectures are arranged. Assessment and assignment details, including deadlines, are also available on Canvas from the start of each session. A combination of devotion and organisation accomplishes the task.
What do you hope to achieve in the future? What are your career goals?
My short-term aim is to become a well-established lead inspector of the FDA, with the necessary academic background, expertise, and skills to perform GMP inspections efficiently locally and abroad.
In the near term, I aim to provide the competent leadership required to enable the capacity building of subordinate GMP inspectors and contribute to the FDA's drug inspectorate department's sustainable growth.
In the long run, I hope to be a worldwide leader and consultant in GMP regulatory inspections and assist NMRAs beyond Ghana in establishing centres of excellence in regulatory GMP Inspections and Licensing.
Find out more about Good Manufacturing Practice at UTS
This article was originally published by UTS and is republished here with permission from UTS.
