Rose Amankwaah, once known as Africa’s fastest woman, is retiring after nearly fifty years in the NHS. The former international sprinter represented Ghana at the 1972 Olympics before starting her career in the NHS in 1975 at Central Middlesex Hospital. She won a bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and received the NHS Silver Medal Award in 2023.
During her time at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, she met royalty and senior politicians. She has witnessed major advances in surgery, from open procedures to laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Mrs. Amankwaah plans to visit her sister in Ghana and enjoy watching the Paris Olympics in the summer.
Reflecting on her sprinting career, Mrs. Amankwaah said she began running in secondary school in Ghana in 1958. She initially did high jump before transitioning to the 100m and 200m races. A spokesperson for the trust praised her as a great nurse and personality, noting her 49 years of dedication to the NHS.
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