Central University is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Jennifer Welbeck, Associate Professor of Paediatrics and a distinguished paediatrician, as the new Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, effective 1st March 2026.
Prof. Welbeck brings to Central University over thirty-seven (37) years of extensive experience in clinical practice and medical education. A proud alumna of the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS, Class of 1980), she pursued postgraduate training in Canada, earning the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) in 1989.
Following her return to Ghana in 1991, Prof. Welbeck joined the faculty of her alma mater as a lecturer in the Department of Child Health, where she has served with distinction for the past 35 years, including the last three years on a part-time basis. Her dedication to teaching, mentorship, and academic leadership saw her rise through the ranks to Associate Professor in 2005.
At UGMS, she held several key leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Child Health for six years, Vice Dean for two years, and subsequently Dean of the UGMS/School of Medicine and Dentistry for two years. Her tenure in these roles was marked by academic excellence, institutional strengthening, and a strong commitment to faculty and student development.
Prof. Welbeck’s clinical interests span neonatology, childhood haematology, and oncology. Her passion for advancing medical education led her to pursue further studies in the field, culminating in her recognition as a FAIMER Fellow in 2014. She has authored numerous publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, contributing significantly to paediatric medicine and medical education scholarship.
A respected figure in medical training and accreditation, Prof. Welbeck has served as an external examiner to several medical schools, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medical Sciences, the University of Cape Coast School of Medicine, the Accra College of Medicine, and the Family Health Medical School. She is also an examiner for the Foreign Graduate Medical Examination of the Medical and Dental Council.
She is a Fellow and Trainer of both the West African College of Physicians (WACP) and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS). In addition, she has participated in accreditation exercises for the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), as well as for medical colleges in Liberia and The Gambia.
Her expertise has also been sought by the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and the World Health Organization in various advisory and technical capacities. She is a Fellow of the Ghana Medical Association and the Paediatric Society of Ghana.
The University is confident that Prof. Welbeck’s wealth of experience, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence in medical education will significantly strengthen the School of Medical Sciences as it continues to advance its mission of training competent, ethical, and globally competitive healthcare professionals.
Central University warmly welcomes Prof. Jennifer Welbeck to her new role and looks forward to the transformative leadership she will bring to the School of Medical Sciences.