Introduction
Ghana’s biomedical engineering sector is growing rapidly, and it’s set to transform the future of healthcare, innovation, and national development. In 2004, the University of Ghana welcomed its first cohort of biomedical engineering students, marking the launch of the country’s first academic program dedicated to training engineers for the health sector. It was a pioneering moment not just for Ghana but for West Africa. Two decades later, that seed is sprouting into a dynamic sector that is reshaping healthcare delivery and creating new opportunities across the country.
Since that first cohort, several institutions have introduced biomedical engineering programs, including KNUST and more recently, Academic City University, each contributing to a growing pipeline of talent driving innovation in hospitals, startups, and beyond.
What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering sits at the intersection of healthcare, science, and technology. It is the field behind life-saving diagnostic tools, prosthetics, mobile health apps, wearable sensors, and smart hospital equipment. In Ghana, where access to affordable, high-quality healthcare remains a challenge, biomedical engineers are becoming indispensable.
They are the architects of technologies that make early diagnosis possible in rural clinics. They design cost-effective equipment that reduces our dependence on expensive imports. They ensure our hospitals function with the safety, precision, and reliability that modern healthcare demands. They maintain and repair equipment and advise of purchases. More importantly, they represent a national shift from relying on imports to building local solutions. Tackling our health challenges requires more than just clinical expertise. It requires engineers who think like innovators and design with purpose. Biomedical engineering is no longer niche; it is a necessity.
A Sector on the Rise: Innovation, Education, and Investment
The opportunity in Biomedical Engineering is expanding. From telehealth to diagnostic innovation, biomedical engineering is feeding into Ghana’s healthtech revolution.
Startups like mPharma, Bisa Health, and Goliath Robotics are proving that local innovation can transform access to care. Incas Diagnostics, based in Kumasi, developed a COVID-19 antibody test during the pandemic showcasing the power of Ghanaian ingenuity in global health emergencies.
MinoHealth AI Labs is applying artificial intelligence to radiology and diagnostics, while Bank Hospital recently launched the first made-in-Ghana PBS Bedhead Unit and EA X-ray Viewer, engineered entirely by its in-house innovation team. These innovations are part of a thriving ecosystem attracting both local and international investors. Ghana’s biomedical space is no longer just a training ground, it’s a launchpad for impact, jobs, and long-term growth.
The Role of Education
At the heart of every thriving sector lies a strong foundation in education. Ghana still faces a shortage of skilled biomedical professionals, particularly in medical device servicing and health technology support. Institutions like Academic City University are rising to meet this challenge, not only by training engineers, but by encouraging innovation, shaping problem-solvers, and future industry leaders.
Launched in 2021, Academic City’s biomedical engineering program is tailored to the needs of today’s healthcare system with a curriculum that integrates engineering, data science, and entrepreneurship.
What It Means for You
You do not have to be an engineer to benefit from Ghana’s thriving biomedical landscape. The rise of this field is exciting for us all:
- For students and parents, it opens the door to one of the most future-proof, impactful careers in Ghana and across Africa.
- For policymakers, it offers a tangible pathway to improve healthcare outcomes while creating jobs.
- For healthcare leaders, it provides local, cost-effective solutions that reduce equipment downtime and dependency.
- And for every Ghanaian, it means that the diagnostic tools in your clinic, the health app on your phone, or the test kit in your hospital may soon be proudly made in Ghana.
Biomedical engineering is not just about improving healthcare access and affordability. It is engineering Ghana’s future.
Whether you are a student aspiring to make a difference, a parent guiding your child toward a purpose-driven path, or a policymaker shaping the nation’s future, now is the time to look toward biomedical engineering. And for investors and philanthropic partners, this is a timely opportunity to support the next generation of home-grown innovators by funding training, sponsoring student-led projects, and fueling the ideas that will shape Ghana’s health systems for decades to come.
Writer: Dr. Hephzi Tagoe – Head of Department, Biomedical Engineering, Academic City University
A Research Scientist, Science Communication Consultant, and Head of Department – Biomedical Engineering at Academic City University, she holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology with 15+ years of experience across academia, industry, and NGOs. Committed to making quality science accessible, she leads STEM education initiatives as the founding director of G.H.Scientific. Her impact has earned global recognition, including STEM Educator of the Year, the Royal Society of Biology’s Science Communication Award, and a Winston Churchill Fellowship.
