The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) proudly graduated its very first cohort of genetic counsellors, a landmark achievement for both the Centre and the region. As the first programme of its kind in West Africa, this milestone signals the start of a new era in healthcare, where families and communities will benefit from specialised support in understanding genetic conditions and making informed health decisions. This graduation not only represents years of hard work and dedication by the students and faculty but also highlights WAGMC’s role in shaping the future of genomic medicine across Africa.
“This programme represents a new era for genomic medicine in West Africa. These graduates will pioneer services that are urgently needed in our health systems and will contribute to research, education, and patient care across the continent.”
In 2022, the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), based at the University of Ghana, launched the region’s first Master’s in Genetic Counselling programme. The initiative was born out of a pressing need — across West Africa, there were no formally trained genetic counsellors, despite the growing importance of genomics in healthcare. The programme was designed to address this gap by combining international best practices with a strong focus on the unique healthcare challenges faced in the region. With a curriculum carefully adapted to reflect both global standards and local realities, WAGMC set out to train a new generation of professionals equipped to serve families and communities in need of specialised support.
Over two years, the pioneering cohort immersed themselves in a rigorous academic and clinical journey. Their training combined advanced coursework in human genetics, counselling techniques, and bioethics with practical clinical rotations across hospitals and healthcare settings. These experiences exposed students to real-world cases, from inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease to hereditary cancers and congenital conditions. Beyond clinical training, the students also developed skills in communication, research, and advocacy, recognising that genetic counsellors play an essential role not only in patient care but also in education, policy development, and raising public awareness about genetics.
In 2024, WAGMC proudly celebrated the graduation of this inaugural class. The moment marked a turning point for healthcare in West Africa, as the region’s first formally trained graduates stepped into their internship to complete their training to become the first qualified genetic counsellors in West Africa. Their achievement is not only a testament to their own dedication but also to the vision of WAGMC, which has positioned itself as a leader in advancing genomic medicine on the continent. With their new qualifications, these graduates will pioneer services, strengthen healthcare systems, and inspire future cohorts to follow in their footsteps.
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