The Chairman of the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA), Pharm. Dr. Emmanuel Kwaku Ireland, has delivered a compelling call to action to pharmacists across Ghana to strengthen their presence in pharmacies, sharpen leadership skills, and embrace the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the *Leadership and Professional Development Seminar* organized as part of the Community Pharmacy Month celebration and held at the British Council in Accra, Dr. Ireland emphasized that the role of pharmacists extends far beyond dispensing medicines. According to him, pharmacists must now act as clinical service providers, health leaders, and innovators in a fast-evolving healthcare landscape.
> “It takes the pharmacist to provide critical clinical services like medication therapy management. When things go wrong in the pharmacy, it’s the pharmacist who is held accountable, whether present or not—so your physical presence is non-negotiable,” he asserted.
Dr. Ireland revealed that a baseline survey conducted some years ago showed that only 30–35% of pharmacists were consistently present in their pharmacies. However, due to continuous monitoring by the Pharmacy Council and a shift towards patient-focused, billable services, pharmacist presence has improved drastically.
He encouraged pharmacists to seize new opportunities presented by the evolving profession:
> “We are no longer just filling prescriptions—we are interacting with patients, providing expert advice, and being paid for our services. That compels us to be present and engaged.”
On the theme of leadership, Dr. Ireland described it as a foundational tool for pharmacists to thrive as both business managers and community health influencers.
> “Leadership is not about titles; it’s about actions, team cohesion, and delivering quality services. Pharmacists must rally their teams around a clear vision and lead with purpose.”
To enhance leadership capabilities, Dr. Ireland highlighted ongoing efforts like Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiatives. He referenced previous CPD workshops on opioid stewardship and said the current seminar focused on cultivating sound leadership and management practices within pharmacy settings.
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation in Pharmacy
Dr. Ireland acknowledged the increasing importance of AI in pharmacy operations.
> “AI allows us to access real-time knowledge and insights, which is crucial in time-sensitive healthcare environments. We’re working to harmonize pharmacy-generated data to inform national policy decisions.”
He added that AI has also reduced pharmacists’ workload by up to 60%, enabling them to spend more meaningful time with patients and improve health outcomes.
Fighting Quack Practices and Promoting Safe Medicine Use
Addressing the persistent issue of unlicensed medicine sellers in rural areas, Dr. Ireland reaffirmed CPPA’s commitment to public education and expanding access to certified pharmacies.
> “We appeal to community members to seek services from licensed pharmacies or certified over-the-counter medicine sellers trained by the Pharmacy Council. Medicines should not be sold under the sun—it’s unsafe and harmful.”
Final Words of Encouragement
Dr. Ireland concluded with a rallying call to pharmacists:
> “Community Pharmacy Month is a reminder that our patients’ needs must be our heartbeat. Let’s use technology wisely and always give our best to the community. When we do, both patients and professionals benefit.”
The seminar brought together pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders to discuss professional growth, community impact, and the future of pharmacy in Ghana.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
