‘Do not only look for those who agree with you. Look around – pursue, with equal curiosity, those who disagree with you,’ says Anis Haffar

This is Part 1 of the address delivered by Anis Haffar, on the occasion of the 10th Matriculation Ceremony of Accra College of Medicine, at the ACM Auditorium (Accra) Saturday, 22nd February 2025

This morning, I recall our very humble beginnings at ACM, with our very first matriculation ceremony which was held in April 2016. We started off with two cohorts, 7 students at level 100 and 7 students at level 200. Their induction ceremony as medical doctors was one of my cherished memories. I was at the time reminded also a bit of Ghana’s history – when one afternoon Ghana’s very first President – Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the dawn of Ghana’s independence–called a certain Dr Charlie Easmon and requested him to gather his colleagues together to start a medical school in Ghana. Dr Easmon was startled by that unforeseen request, but soon enough, he and some specialists accepted the challenge and began the very first medical school, at Korle Bu Hospital, Accra.

I remember – as a teenager at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast – my elder brother enticing me to study medicine, just as he had planned to do himself. He was studying biology at the time and called me to watch him dissect and explore the anatomy of a frog. He had caught the animal and nailed its fore and hind legs on a wooden board, and then proceeded to slice open its chest cavity with a razor blade. He then took his time to point out the various organs to me – one at a time.

He showed me the beating heart, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys, intestines, and the rest of it. Guess what: I took off, frantic and gasping for breath. I’d never seen such spectacle before. And his dream for me to join him in medical school died on the spot.

He, however, after sixth form, left for the United States, enrolled at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became a medical doctor, specializing in Psychiatry. I, on the other hand, opted for a School of Education.

At the beginning of Accra College of Medicine, years back, I remember receiving a call from Professor Adukwei Hesse. He asked if I would consider teaching Creative and Critical Thinking in the new school. At first I was reluctant. I said to myself, “This man koraa: like my brother, he too is coming to trouble me with medical school again!” But after 2 or so more calls I obliged to take on the challenge. And looking back – from the vantage point of this 10th matriculation ceremony – I confess, this journey at ACM has been one of the most nourishing and intriguing experiences in my life. [Adukwei, thank you. You forced me out of my comfort zone, and I love you for it]

CHARACTER

I will first begin with a piece of advice from Professor Afua Hesse, emphasizing the essence of character. At a particular ceremony like this one; she said, Character is like pregnancy. You can’t hide it. In due course – and sooner than later it will show, and eventually it will envelop you completely. So, our cherished matriculants, choose to do the right thing right from the beginning, especially so when nobody is watching you.

The ideals of integrity, honesty, punctuality, respect for the other person – will change your lives in ways you can’t imagine. Such qualities will make you a superior human being. For us at this institution, we demand that you let your character demonstrate that you not only passed through this noble institution we call Accra College of Medicine; but that you will forever belong to it – and promote it – as its cherished ambassador.

And remember this: you are again being groomed as a leader to lead this country by YOU shining in your own corner as they say. I have travelled widely and been tempted often with great offers, but I choose always to come back and live in this beautiful country of ours.

BE A CRITICAL THINKER

There’s another advice that I will share with you, and that also came from Professor Afua Hesse – in one of our matriculation sessions.

She said some time back: “Chew, pour, pass, and forget” is not for medical school. And frankly, “chew, pour, pass, and forget” is not for any serious profession. That is why critical thinking is important across board. As much as possible, matriculants, learn to think for yourself: and even where you look for evidence to support your views, be aware of what we call Confirmation Bias, in critical thinking.

Do not only look for those who agree with you. Look around – pursue, with equal curiosity, those who disagree with you or have different opinions. On that note, learn to often Think Again: Be alert enough to know what you already know, but be equally smart in knowing you could be wrong. At the end of the day, be excited and curious about the prospects of what you have yet to know. The world is much bigger than our measly minds will allow us to perceive.

So, pursue, especially, what you need to know to make your thinking serve you wholesomely.

STAY HUMBLE

Another advice I will like to share with you was from doctors who spoke to previous matriculants right here in this auditorium. And they said, All through your education as a medical student, and even after your studies as a bona fide medical doctor, stay humble enough to acknowledge that you do not have all the answers. Know that you could possibly fall short, and so be humble enough to ask for help.

Why make a mistake when you can be guided to do better having learned from someone who’s actually been there? On that note, remember that the faculty at ACM is here to help you. And as I have said to you, I’m proud to be your servant, to help you succeed in any way I can. But I can only serve you when I see that YOU are making the effort and are worthy to be served. Help cannot be served in a vacuum.

Remember our college’s motto about Heart Power: respect, appreciate and love the other person, and that includes the person sitting next to you. Choose your friends carefully. Particularly, those who will encourage you when you are not up to a task; someone who would be there to be leaned on. Mostly, be that person too, yourself, for others. The years ahead will be tough. Be assured of that, but do not feel alone. [To be continued in Part 2]