Pharm. Abraham Gyesie is a renowned Ghanaian pharmacist who has spent many years working in Nigeria. The octogenarian is not only a celebrated writer, editor, and compère, but also a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG). He played a pioneering role as one of the founding fathers of the West African Pharmaceutical Federation, now known as the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP). In this exclusive interview with Moses Dike, the multiple award-winning pharmacist shares insights into his career journey across Ghana and Nigeria. He speaks about his efforts to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and national healthcare policies in Ghana by training patent medicine dealers and integrating their work into the formal healthcare delivery system. He also reflects on his professional experiences and relationships in Nigeria, highlighting the key lessons gained from working within its dynamic pharmaceutical landscape. Excerpts:
Kindly tell us about yourself.
I was born in Kumasi in 1943. My early education began at Adansi Brofuyedru Middle School, followed by Opoku Ware Secondary School. Driven by a passion for healthcare, I pursued my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, graduating in 1967.
Eager to enhance both my clinical and managerial knowledge, I went on to earn a postgraduate diploma in Pharmacy Management from the Institute of Pharmacy Management International in the UK. This dual foundation of clinical competence and strategic insight shaped my professional path in a field that demands precision, compassion, and a people-centred approach.
At 81, I was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award—an acknowledgment of over four decades of service in pharmaceutical care, policy advocacy, community health, and business development.
Tell us about your career in Pharmacy. Where have you worked and what has your experience been like?
After qualifying as a pharmacist, I began my career as a medical representative and later served as area sales manager for leading multinational firms such as Glaxo, Hoechst, and Sandoz, managing pharmaceutical marketing across the West African sub-region. I eventually rose to the positions of group product and training manager for Sandoz Nigeria and training and marketing manager for Abbott Laboratories.
Driven by entrepreneurial zeal, I established Healthcare Services Limited—a wholesale and retail pharmaceutical company that revolutionised medicine distribution across Ghana for three decades. This venture not only improved access to quality medicines but also created employment opportunities.
In 2010, I launched Health and Development Consult, a consultancy that continues to provide advisory services to ministries, government agencies, NGOs, and regulatory institutions.
Tell us about your experience working in Nigeria and your interactions with Nigerian colleagues.
As mentioned earlier, I served as group product and training manager for Sandoz Nigeria and later as Training and Marketing Manager for Abbott Laboratories. I lived in Lagos for about seven years. My time there was enriching—professionally and personally. I gained valuable experience, built confidence, and learnt to transform obstacles into stepping stones.
I have great admiration for my Nigerian colleagues. Some became role models, especially my elder brother and mentor, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher of Pharmanews—a foremost healthcare publication that has been in circulation for 46 years. That is no small feat, and I am proud of his accomplishments.
Several Nigerian colleagues held senior roles in multinational pharmaceutical firms at the time. They were bold, astute, and entrepreneurial—successfully running their own businesses. I also developed a fondness for Nigerian cuisine and music, though I never quite got used to the traffic!
Aside from Sir Atueyi, which other Nigerian colleagues do you have fond memories of?
I hold fond memories of many distinguished colleagues—both living and departed. These include the late Dr Fredrick Adenika, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr Stella Okoli, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chief Debo Omotosho, Pharm. Joe Olarogun, and Pharm. Eugene Okonkwo, among others. I’m still in regular contact with Sir Atueyi and Mazi Ohuabunwa.
I worked closely with Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Mrs Clavenda Bright Parker of Liberia, Prof. A. N. Tackie of Ghana, and other West African pharmaceutical leaders to establish the West African Pharmaceutical Union in Liberia, which eventually evolved into the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP).
One particularly touching memory of Nigeria was the birth of my first child in Lagos on 30 March 1978, shortly after the passing of my father. His name is Dr Nana Gyesie. My Yoruba friends affectionately called him Babatunde and my Igbo friends called him Nnamdi—both names signifying that my father had returned.
I also cherish my time living in Mende Village, Lagos, where I maintained close contact with my mentor, Pharm. Atueyi.
At the inaugural Pharmacy Excellence Awards in Ghana, you were celebrated for your contributions to pharmaceutical excellence, public health advocacy, and equitable healthcare. What drives your commitment?
My driving motivation has always been to bridge the divide between grassroots realities and national health policies. Achieving healthcare equity—particularly for underserved communities—is vital.
I observed that Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicine sellers often serve as the first—and sometimes only—point of healthcare contact in rural Ghana. Recognising this, I dedicated years to training, mentoring, and empowering thousands of medicine sellers across the country.
As a volunteer consultant to OTC medicine dealer associations, I advocated for safer practices, developed training manuals, introduced pledges for ethical conduct, and championed policies to formally integrate these providers into the national healthcare system. The overarching goal was to make health policy more inclusive and responsive to local realities.
Tell us about your writings and publications.
I have authored several publications. One notable work is From Despair to Hope: The HIV and AIDS Story of Papa Kofi and His Family, which employs storytelling to humanise critical health issues. It has been approved by Ghana’s Ministry of Education as a supplementary reader and continues to educate and inspire young Ghanaians.
As editor and publisher of Health and Development News Online, and convener of the Health and Development Forum, I have created platforms that amplify public health discourse and foster cross-sector collaboration.
