What We Learned in Ghana: Faith, Formation, and Health Worker Training
By Dr. Gary Cloud and Dr. Ron Yee, CCIH Senior Technical Advisors
During the first week of March, we had the privilege of traveling to Ghana with Doug Fountain, CCIH Executive Director. Through our prior contribution to the Christian Health Asset Mapping Consortium’s inventory of health worker training institutions and Graduate Medical Education programs, we were acquainted with the global efforts of CCIH members to integrate clinical training with Christian formation.
Doug encouraged this visit as an opportunity to observe a particularly strong model of such integration—one that also reflects effective collaboration with the Ministry of Health and cross-denominational unity under the leadership of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG).
The purpose of our visit was to deepen our understanding of front-line Christian formation and the practical integration of faith and medicine within health worker training. We observed how collaboration across diverse Christian denominations contributes meaningfully to unity within the body of Christ.
Key insights included their deep commitment to prayer, consistent modeling of Christ-centered character, and the intentional inclusion of clergy and local communities in training efforts.
We were particularly struck by the fervent prayers of the leadership, the shared commitment to delivering high-quality training, and a holistic approach to student development—one that emphasizes not only clinical excellence but also spiritual formation. Insights gained from this experience will help inform the collective work of the emerging global Task Force on Christian Health Worker Education.
We are deeply grateful to the Lord for the fellowship we experienced and for the enrichment gained through this meaningful learning opportunity.
Photo: From left to right are Dr. Gary Cloud, CCIH; Enock Osei-Adede, Chief Financial Officer, CHAG; Doug Fountain, CCIH; Peter Yeboah, CHAG Executive Director; Dr. Ron Yee, CCIH; Dr. James Duah, Deputy Director, CHAG