Dr. Mahmood Brobbey Oppong has a long history of service in the field of academia where he has worked as a teaching assistant, assistant lecturer, lecturer, and now as a senior lecturer at the prestigious University of Ghana School of Pharmacy. He is also the director of Think Health Pharmacy based in Adenta. He founded NatInspired Designs and Prints Ltd, an indigenous company that is committed to producing authentic floral-themed fabrics. Mahmood is an active member of the GCPCUL and is an ever-present face at all general meetings.

1. Kindly tell us about yourself
I am Mahmood Brobbey Oppong. I was born in the month of love, specifically on the 19^th of February. I am a Muslim but liberal in my general disposition. I hail from Asante Mampong in the Ashanti region where I had my basic education. I am an alumnus of T.I. Ahmadiyya (2002-2005) and KNUST (2006-2013). After serving as an assistant lecturer (2013-2015) at the University of Ghana, I proceeded to Tianjin, China for my PhD (2015-2019). Upon my return, I took up lecturership position at the University of Ghana and now serve as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Aside from my primary job as a lecturer, I am the CEO of NatInspired. We deal in the production of floral prints and market-sown fabrics including kaftans, suits, etc. I desire to get Ghanaians interested in nature-inspired couture. I also operate a community pharmacy (ThinkHealth Pharmacy) located on the Adenta-Oyarifa road.

2. Can you walk us through your time as a member of the GCPCUL, beginning from the circumstances that culminated in your membership?
I first heard of the Credit Union in my undergrad days. I was interested in the concept but somehow, I did not join the union. It was during my TA period that I got enrolled. I continued with the savings culture until my sojourn for the Ph.D. Upon my return, I picked up from where I left off and haven’t looked back since. It’s been a great and enjoyable journey being a part of the GCPCUL.

3. In your opinion, what sets the GCPCUL apart from other financial institutions, particularly in its support for pharmacists?
As the name suggests, the GCPCUL is great at responding to the peculiar needs of pharmacists in the pharma space. I am particularly drawn to the flexibility of the payment terms, the ease of accessing loans, and the convenience of receiving facilities from the union. The products on offer are also spectacular, particularly if you consider the car loan. Getting a vehicle as a pharmacist is a necessity rather than a luxury. It would take years to raise money to purchase a good car, but with the car loan policy, pharmacists do not have to wait for years to drive a good car. This is a game-changer!

4. In what ways does the union align with your broader goals and aspirations?
My immediate aspiration is to expand the operations of ThinkHealth Pharmacy. There have been considerations about opening another branch. GCPCUL is high on our go-to avenues for capital injection into this enterprise. My satisfaction with the GCPCUL is the fact that money is no longer a barrier when it comes to aiming high or putting your ideas into motion.

5. Considering the dynamic nature of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, how does the union stay adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of its members?
The key word is that GCPCUL must be innovative. The business will continue to thrive, but management must continue to churn out tailor-made solutions that respond to the peculiar needs of its new generation of members. You are doing very well for yourself in Academia and Community Practice

6. What are the highlights (highs and lows) of your journey so far?
Let me start with the low point… Decision-making has always been tough. Pursuing my Ph.D. in a foreign land where the language barrier is an issue makes the journey tough. I almost abandoned the program midway. It took a lot of mental toughness to push through to the finish line. My PhD experience, at some point, became one of the low moments of my journey. Interestingly, after the low points, there is always a high point. Getting my PhD was a big mood shift from my initial mixed feelings. It was a joy to finally cross the finish line. Again, seeing my businesses grow and the opportunities I bring to the lives of my employees brings me joy. I am also happy to see the impact of my work on the lives of my students.

7. What has been your key driving force to coming this far?
Discipline stands out tall for me. I believe that to achieve anything meaningful in life, you must set goals and be disciplined enough to see it through. This may require sacrifices, but note that without sacrifice, there is no gain.I cannot talk about my driving force and leave my sister (elder) out of it. I am grateful to her for mentoring and guiding me along this journey.

8. What do you enjoy most about your work?
Getting to laugh with my students.

Outtro

9. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I probably wouldn’t have gone for a PhD at such an early age in my life. Frankly, PhD doesn’t pay the bills. I think that it is better to be in gainful employment before pursuing a PhD.