It was on March 24, 2024, when I got the sad news about the death of my brother, Ambassador John Tia Akologu, and just as I was putting myself togeth­er to overcome the unfortunate event, came another unpleasant news. This times, my father in the Upper West Region, Sir Dr Edward Nwinyuor Gyader, a medical gem, is dead.

His death was announced by Mr Bernard Mornah, flagbearer of the People’s National Conven­tion (PNC) on a TV3 New Day morning platform. Oh How? I exclaimed in utmost disbelief at the news. The sad event occurred on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the Wa Regional Hospital. Moments later, the phone calls started pouring in from all over the country about the demise of my father.

Dr Gyader was not just a household word in the Upper West Region in particular and the coun­try at large, but within the medical profession, the world over.

In one of our usual conversa­tions, Dr Gyader told me of how he had to abandon his initial idea of joining the military to respond to a call by the late Peter Cardinal Dery, who had secured scholarship for him and others to study medi­cine in Italy.

Mahama of bless­ed memory, set up a committee to look into the matter and make appropriate recommendations on the way forward.

The committee recommended the closure of the SMHS of the UDS stating the lack of resources, facilities and required lecturers, among others.

Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, then Minority Leader, and now Speaker of Parliament, intercepted the report and grant­ed an exclusive interview to The Ghanaian Times (the Author of this Tribute), saying any attempt by the government to close the SMHS of the UDS would be fearlessly resisted.

Following the publication of the story by The Ghanaian Times, the Press Secretary to the Vice Pres­ident, Mr Andrew Awuni, called a press conference and gave the assurance that there were no plans to close the SMHS of the UDS.

It was in the midst of all these, that Dr Gyader was invited to take up the mantle to bring an end to the matter. In May 2008, Dr Gyader was appointed Dean and Senior Lecturer of the SMHS of the UDS, the first in the history of the country for someone to head a medical school of a public univer­sity after the mandatory retirement age of 60, especially at age 64.

When the news broke out about his new role, lecturers in the medical field started trooping to the UDS to take up appointments in the SMHS and in no time, the SMHS of the UDS got the requi­site personnel. Today, the UDS is one of the best medical schools in the country with its  doctors spread across various parts of the country, thanks to Dr Gyader.

Ironically, at the time of the passing out of the first batch of doctors under Dr Gyader, the man who fought for the stay of SMHS of the UDS, Mr Bagbin, who was then the Minister of Health, was the guest of honour at the ceremo­ny. It was a delight to see the two sons of the Upper West Region who played leading roles in ensur­ing the progress of the SMHS of the UDS, graced the graduation ceremony of the doctors trained under Sir Dr Gyader.

He had been a General Surgeon Specialist for more than 42years and had always been meticulous and paid uncompromising atten­tion to details. This professional traits made him unique and special not only among his clients and col­leagues, but also among the medi­cal community, the world over.

As a result, Dr Gyader was hon­oured with a national award, grand medal Ghana, in 2005, profiled by the World Health Medical Asso­ciation and listed among 65 most caring  Physicians of the World. He was knighted by Saint Pope John Paul II (Knight of St. Sylvester).

Similarly, he was the winner of the Director General of the Ghana Health Service National Special Award in 2004. He won the Award of the Medical and Dental Council in 2006 and Meritorious Award, UDS, 2015.

Dr Gyader was enstooled devel­opment chief of Dormaa, in the Bono Region, with the stool name Nana Minta I, Sompehene of Domaa Aduana.

He was a Member of the Coun­cil of State from 2013 to 2016.

This is the Medical Gem, who fathered me for 25 years. I came into contact with him in the course of my work when I was posted to the Upper West Region in February 1999 as the Regional Correspon­dent of The Ghanaian Times.

For the first three months, I had done eight stories on Dr Gyader, all of which were carried on the front page. All this while I had not been in personal contact with him. I knew him from afar but he just did not know me.

On one fateful evening, at about 4:00pm while at home, I heard the sound of a car which stopped by my house. I looked through the window and lo and behold that was Dr Gyader. I went out and met him and after exchanging pleasantries he expressed appreciation for the stories done on him and assured me of further collaboration.

“My son, I do not talk only med­icine, I will from time to time look for you to state my position on national policies and programmes and issues that affect the ordinary people,” he told me. The rest be­longs to history.

Sir Dr Gyader responded to the call of his maker. Admittedly, nobody can refuse or resist the call of the Lord. However, what I cannot comprehend is the failure of my father, to give notice of his decision to respond to the call of no return. Nonetheless, I take consolation in the fact that he died in the hands of Dr Robert Amesiya, Medical Director of the Wa Regional Hospital, who drew inspiration and mentorship from the revered Sir Dr Gyader.

BY MATTHEW AYINNE AYOO

Source: The Ghanaian Times