The Royal College of Physicians has appointed four new associate global directors, strengthening its international leadership and partnerships across key regions. Among them is Ghana’s own Professor Dzifa Dey, who has been named Associate Global Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The new appointments, which took effect at the start of February, also include Dr Preetham Boddana as AGD for South Asia and Dr Swe Myint for the Asia Pacific region. Dr Mo Aye, previously AGD for the Asia Pacific, has temporarily assumed the role of AGD for international medical graduates.
A Physician, Educator and Builder of Systems
Professor Dey is an associate professor at the University of Ghana Medical School and a consultant rheumatologist who heads the Rheumatology Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. She is widely credited with pioneering rheumatology services in Ghana, having established the country’s first rheumatology clinic at Korle Bu in 2009.
Her professional journey includes fellowship training in internal medicine and specialist training in rheumatology at University College London Hospitals. Over the years, she has become a leading voice in advancing rheumatology, non-communicable disease care, and medical education across Africa.
In 2012, she founded the Rheumatology Initiative (tRi), an NGO dedicated to raising awareness, building capacity, and strengthening systems for rheumatologic care in Ghana. Through collaborations with continental and global organisations, including the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR), she has championed health equity and patient empowerment across the region.
“When Knowledge Moves Freely Across Borders”
Announcing her appointment on LinkedIn, Professor Dey wrote:
“I am excited and honoured to take on the role of Associate Global Director for Sub-Saharan Africa with the Royal College of Physicians.
I see this as an opportunity to strengthen clinical education, broaden global collaboration, and establish pathways that enable physicians across our region to flourish. When knowledge moves freely across borders, patient care improves everywhere.
I look forward to working with local and international partners to develop systems that support learning, leadership, and excellence in medicine.”
What This Means for Sub-Saharan Africa
The Royal College of Physicians plays a central role in postgraduate medical training, professional standards, and global partnerships. Having a Ghanaian physician in the role of Associate Global Director for Sub-Saharan Africa signals a deeper engagement with regional realities, from workforce gaps and specialist shortages to training capacity and research collaboration.
For many physicians in Ghana and neighbouring countries, this appointment could translate into:
- Stronger clinical education linkages
- Expanded access to global faculty and mentorship
- Clearer pathways for professional development
- Enhanced collaboration on non-communicable diseases and specialist care
Professor Dey’s dual lens as both a local system-builder and a globally trained specialist uniquely positions her to bridge policy, training, and practice.
Ghana’s health sector has increasingly contributed leadership voices to global platforms. Professor Dey’s appointment reinforces the country’s growing influence in specialist medicine and academic leadership.
It also highlights the importance of investing in sub-specialties such as rheumatology, which often remain under-resourced despite the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across Africa.
