KNUST alumnus Prof. Yaw Ampem Amoako has been appointed Medical Director of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), marking another significant milestone in the career of a medical professional whose work has contributed to healthcare, medical research and training in Ghana.
Prof. Amoako began his academic journey at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he completed a BSc in Human Biology in 2002. Years later, he has returned to the University as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, while also serving as a Senior Specialist Infectious Diseases Physician at KATH.
His career reflects a strong connection between clinical practice, research and medical education. As a Principal Research Scientist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), he has been involved in research and clinical work focused particularly on neglected tropical diseases. His research has covered skin-related neglected tropical diseases, clinical trials, infectious disease outbreaks and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in tropical settings.
One of his notable contributions has been his involvement in international clinical trials on Buruli ulcer, including studies that contributed to the transition from injectable treatment to fully oral antibiotic regimens. He has also contributed to research on conditions including scabies, podoconiosis, yaws and snakebite envenoming, while supporting responses to disease outbreaks in communities across Ghana.
Beyond research and clinical practice, Prof. Amoako has played an important role in developing the next generation of medical professionals. He has examined undergraduate medical students and mentored resident physicians through the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the West African College of Physicians. His experience has also seen him engage with national and international institutions, including the World Health Organization and Ghana’s Ministry of Health, on disease control and healthcare strategies.
His appointment as Medical Director of KATH therefore represents not only a new chapter in his professional journey but also a reflection of the depth of experience he has accumulated over the years.
From a Human Biology student at KNUST in 2002 to a specialist physician, researcher, academic and now Medical Director of one of Ghana’s leading teaching hospitals, Prof. Yaw Ampem Amoako’s journey exemplifies the impact of KNUST alumni across Ghana’s health sector.