Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is a Ghanaian physician and cardiothoracic surgeon who established the National Cardiothoracic Center and the Ghana Red Cross Society. He is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

A well-known figure in his country, Frimpong-Boateng was elected a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in December 2002.

Career

Frimpong-Boateng attended Sekondi College in Ghana. The young Frimpong-Boateng studied physics and mathematics thinking that he would become an engineer. Nonetheless, he later decided to seek a career as a doctor when he was offered a scholarship to study medicine in Germany.

His father Kofi Frimpong had died from heart injuries due to a road traffic accident prior to his birth., so he thought he could help people in similar situations. After finishing his post-graduate studies, he returned to his birthplace to practise as Ghana's first locally based cardiothoracic surgeon.

He is currently the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Ghana.

In 1992, he set up the National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. There were no cardiothoracic surgery facilities in the country at the time, so he aimed the centre to teach young surgeons and assist new patients.

In Ghana, primary health care issues such as malaria and limited childhood vaccinations are greatly underserved due to lack of infrastructure, lack of funding, transportation, and quality and safety, making skilled speciality care a luxury often attained only by those rich enough to leave the country.

He is currently the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

He joined the University of Ghana Medical School as a lecturer in 2000 and was promoted associate professor the same year. He was made a full professor in 2002. He also served as the head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical School, prior to his current appointment as the Chief Executive of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in 2002.

He was elected to the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in December 2002 and gave his inaugural lecture the following year. Frimpong-Boateng also runs a charitable foundation, the Ghana Heart Foundation, which is responsible for paying for heart surgery for some indigent Ghanaians under his care.

Politics

In March 2006, Frimpong-Boateng announced his intention to seek the nomination as the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the December 2008 National Presidential Elections. Documentaries were made about his life and his hopes, but in the end, the candidate elected was Nana Akuffo-Addo.

Regardless of his results, he declared he is still concerned with political issues in relation to education and health problems. He would later regret that political corruption in Ghana was too much and said that in his opinion politicians were not taking social priorities into account, especially the need for technology.

Current InvolvementsM/b>

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng spoke at the just-ended World Summit Awards Grand Jury held in Accra, Ghana held from November 3, 2018, to November 7, 2018. He mentioned his confidence in digital transformation for growth in the country.

Achievements

1992 - Established the National Cardio-Thoracic Centre which is now recognised by the West African College of Surgeons to train heart surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anaesthetists, operating room nurses, intensive care nurses, cardiac technicians, and other cardiothoracic technicians. (1992)

Performed the first open-heart surgery in Ghana using the heart-lung machine.

Established the Ghana Heart Foundation to raise funds to assist those who cannot afford the cost of heart surgery.

1999 - Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Man of the Year.

September 10, 2004 - Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Education, Winneba.

Awards

Certificate of appreciation from Orphanage International Ministry in recognition of humanitarian service to Cardio Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and to society in Ghana at large especially orphan children 27 July 2002.

Recognition award from Soviet (CIS) trained doctors association for devoted and meritorious service to Ghana, 5 December 2001.

Certificate of Distinction from Sapphire Ghana Ltd. For outstanding contribution to National Development, August 1999.

Award from Enterprise Insurance Company, Ghana in recognition of efforts, achievements, perseverance and success, 1999.

Millennium Excellence Award Recipient as the personality of the decade, December 1999.

Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, Marketing Man of the Year 1999.

Co-recipient of the 2003 special award from the Ghana Chartered Institute of Marketing to the Centre for Technology-Driven Economic Development (CTED).

Recognition award from the civil service of Ghana for meritorious services rendered to the Ghana Civil Service and the people of Ghana, 1998.

St Luke's Day award from Sr. Michael and All Saints Anglican Church Korle Gonno, Accra, Ghana for distinguished service as a medical doctor in the service of the Lord, 1993.

Nobles International Award in recognition of status as an eminent West African who believes in Honesty, Integrity and Accountability, 28th Nov. 2003.

UN Volunteers Certificate of appreciation in recognition of voluntary contribution to national development, International Voluntary Day, December 5, 2005.

Asante of Honour Award presented by Otumfuo, Asantehene, 25 November 2005.

Personality of the year award 2004, by the People of the Western Region of Ghana for outstanding contribution towards the development and promotion of Ghana, Sept 2005.

Personality of the Decade, awarded by the Millennium Excellence Foundation 2005.

Legend of the Year, awarded at the 2017 People's Choice Practitioners Honours organised by Media Men Ghana.