Twenty years of medical physics education and training in Ghana: past, current, and future perspectives

Medical physics education remains challenging in developing countries due to limited expertise and infrastructure. Ghana initiated its first comprehensive postgraduate medical physics program in 2004, representing a pioneering effort in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluates the program's development and impact over two decades.

A comprehensive review analyzed Ghana's medical physics education evolution from 2004 to 2024, examining institutional growth, curriculum development, workforce distribution, and international partnerships. Data sources included enrollment statistics, graduate outcomes, professional registries, and collaboration records with organizations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Ghana established a structured pathway comprising two-year Master's, four-year doctoral, and 12-24 month clinical internship programs. The program has so far produced 195 graduates (22 % international students), demonstrating regional impact. Currently, 76 qualified medical physicists serve in clinical practice (51 %), academia (45 %), and regulatory roles (4 %). Ghana achieved IAEA Regional Designated Centre status and established partnerships with institutions in Norway, Canada, and the United States. However, workforce distribution remains uneven, with Greater Accra and Ashanti regions containing 80 % of practitioners. Challenges include inadequate clinical training infrastructure and limited research funding.

Ghana's program demonstrates a successful model for developing medical physics education in resource-limited settings through strategic international partnerships. The evolution from overseas training dependency to regional leadership provides valuable insights for other developing nations. Future sustainability requires curriculum modernization, expanded clinical residencies, enhanced research infrastructure, and continued international collaboration to maintain regional leadership in medical physics education.