History

The OSG was inaugurated in June 1990 by the then Secretary of Health, Nana Ackuoko Sarpong.  A constitutional committee, having prepared the Society’s first constitution, invited Prof. C. O. Quarcoopome (of blessed memory), who had just returned to the country after a year’s consultancy job with the WHO, to serve as its first President.

The first Executive Committee Members were:

President	Prof. C. O. Quarcoopome
Vice President	Dr. Michael Adu-Darko
General Secretary	Dr. Maria Hagan
Assistant Secretary	Dr. Edith Ackuaku (now Dogbe)
Treasurer	Dr. Isaac Sagoe

They served for two-terms of two years each (1990-1992 and 1993-1994).

The Membership of the Society was then about fourteen. There were two Associate Members – Drs. David Adiepena and Dr. Mrs. Vera Essuman.

The OSG had a primary concern regarding the inadequate personnel for eye care service delivery, cost of drugs for glaucoma and the need for support for study travels and medical exhibitions. To achieve these goals, a number of resolutions were passed and these included:

1. The Ministry of Health be requested to find placings for postgraduate residents in ophthalmology to enable them complete their course

2. Government be requested to waive duties and taxes on essential drugs needed for the treatment of blinding diseases requiring life-long treatment especially glaucoma.

3. Government be requested to sponsor study travels, conferences, medical exhibitions so that ophthalmologists can keep up with advances in their area of specialty.

Building on the solid foundations laid by the founding members, the OSG has grown in strength and diversity. It currently boasts of over 90 paid-up members and a sizeable number of Members In-training. It is also progressively developing its sub-specialty societies (working groups) with Glaucoma and Retina Working Groups already in place. It plans completing the establishment of the Anterior Segment and Cornea Group, Pediatric Ophthalmology Group and Public Health in Ophthalmology Group before the end of 2017.