Ghanaian Eye Doctor Becomes First African Leadership Fellow

A Ghanaian optometrist who built a network of eye clinics in areas with little to no vision care has become the first person from his country to earn one of global optometry's highest honors.

Dr. Jerome Emmanuel Abaka-Cann was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in November 2024, marking a first for Ghana. He and Nigerian Navy Commander Dr. Tamunominabo Edah became only the second and third Africans ever to join the prestigious ranks.

What makes Dr. Abaka-Cann's achievement especially meaningful is how he earned it. While most fellowships recognize scientific research, his came through the Special Category, which honors transformative leadership and entrepreneurial impact on the profession.

Since founding Imperial Eye Care Centre in 2011, Dr. Abaka-Cann has opened multiple clinics serving Ghanaian districts where quality vision care was scarce or nonexistent. His detailed report to the Academy, titled "Leadership in Optometry: Making Eye Care Available, Accessible, and Affordable," documented a decade of expanding access to communities that needed it most.

Beyond running clinics, he organized free eye screenings, distributed corrective lenses, and provided essential medications to underserved populations. His work also created jobs for young optometry professionals across Ghana.

The Ripple Effect

Dr. Abaka-Cann immediately turned his recognition into action for others. By October 2025, he had helped 10 African optometrists, including five Ghanaians, achieve their own Special Category fellowships through the Academy's African Chapter.

"To be a Fellow is to commit to lifelong learning and advancing optometry in one's jurisdiction," he said. "I see my jurisdiction as all of Africa."

His vision extends beyond individual achievements. By helping colleagues reach the highest professional standards, he believes African communities will gain better access to quality eye care delivered by local expertise rather than depending on outside help.

The American Academy of Optometry, founded in 1922, is globally respected for promoting clinical excellence and professional development. Dr. Abaka-Cann's induction signals growing recognition that leadership and community impact deserve celebration alongside traditional research contributions.

A graduate of Mfantsipim School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Abaka-Cann continues working with policymakers and professional organizations to strengthen Ghana's eye care systems. His timing aligns with the country's push for stronger healthcare infrastructure led by local specialists.

For him, the ultimate goal remains clear: a continent where eye care is affordable, accessible, and driven by African professionals who understand their communities' unique needs.