A recent visit to the Thompson Special Collections at The Ohio State University Libraries as part of the 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program left me reflecting on a question that had never seriously crossed my mind before: Who is preserving Ghana’s medical heritage?

The visit showcased the immense value of preserving historical collections, not only books and manuscripts, but also photographs, personal papers, institutional records, artefacts, and stories that document the evolution of society. What impressed me most was the intentional investment in ensuring that future generations can access and learn from these materials. As I walked through the collections, I could not help but think about Ghana’s rich healthcare history and whether we are doing enough to preserve it.

Ghana has produced remarkable healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and public health leaders whose contributions have shaped the nation’s health system. From the fight against infectious diseases and the expansion of nursing and medical education to public health campaigns that have improved lives across communities, there is much to document and celebrate.

Yet many of these stories remain scattered in filing cabinets, personal collections, institutional archives, and fading photographs. Valuable records are often lost through poor storage, office relocations, retirements, and the absence of dedicated preservation initiatives. In some cases, the memories of pioneering health professionals disappear with them.

This is not simply a matter of nostalgia. Preserving medical heritage is about protecting institutional memory and creating resources for future research, teaching, and learning. It allows us to understand how healthcare systems evolved, how challenges were addressed, and how innovations emerged over time.

As a librarian at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), the visit inspired me to think about the possibility of developing collections that document the history of healthcare, medical education, and public health in Ghana. Imagine the value of preserving oral histories from retired nurses and physicians, records of major public health interventions, historical teaching materials, and photographs that capture the growth of health professions education in the country. Such collections would not only support researchers but also help students appreciate the legacy of the professions they are preparing to join.

The good news is that preserving medical heritage does not always require large budgets or sophisticated facilities. It can begin with small but deliberate actions, including identifying important records, documenting oral histories, digitising photographs, and creating awareness about the importance of preserving institutional memory.

My visit to the Thompson Special Collections at The Ohio State University reminded me that collections do not become valuable overnight. They become valuable because individuals and institutions make a conscious decision to preserve them. Perhaps it is time for us in Ghana to begin asking how we can do the same for our medical and public health heritage. If we do not preserve these stories today, future generations may never have the opportunity to learn from them.