The Mentorship Programme of the WACP Faculty of Community Health Online Academy is designed to support candidates throughout their postgraduate training journey by providing structured academic, professional, and career guidance.
The programme complements formal training requirements by fostering professional development, ethical practice, leadership skills, and scholarly growth in Community and Public Health.
Participation in the Mentorship Programme enhances learning outcomes but does not replace accredited residency training, institutional supervision, or formal examination requirements of the West African College of Physicians.
Objectives of the Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Programme aims to:
- Support candidates’ academic progression across Primary, Membership, and Fellowship levels
- Provide guidance on examination preparation strategies
- Promote professionalism, ethics, and leadership development
- Encourage research, scholarly writing, and conference participation
- Support career planning in public health practice, academia, and health systems leadership
- Facilitate peer learning and professional networking within the Faculty
Mode of Mentorship Delivery
Mentorship activities are delivered through:
- Scheduled virtual mentorship sessions
- Group mentorship webinars and masterclasses
- One-on-one mentor–mentee engagements (where applicable)
- Discussion forums
- Academic clinics (e.g. research writing)
All mentorship interactions are conducted within the platform to ensure professionalism, documentation, and quality assurance.
Monitoring and Quality Assurance
- Mentorship activities are periodically reviewed by the Faculty Training Coordinator
- Feedback from mentees and mentors is used to improve programme quality
- Participation records may be documented for academic support purposes but do not form part of formal residency assessments
Expectations of Mentees
- Engage actively in scheduled mentorship activities
- Demonstrate professionalism and respect in all interactions
- Prepare ahead of mentorship sessions
- Take responsibility for their learning and career development
- Adhere to WACP ethical standards and training regulations
Expectations of Mentors
- Provide guidance within the scope of WACP training standards
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Offer constructive, supportive, and ethical mentorship
- Declare any conflict of interest
- Promote excellence, integrity, and service in Community Health
MENTORSHIP STRUCTURE
Mentor Assignment
Mentors are Fellows of the Faculty of Community Health of the West African College of Physicians.
Mentors are assigned based on:
- Programme level (Primary, Membership, Fellowship)
- Area of interest (where applicable)
Each mentor supports a defined number of mentees to ensure quality engagement.
Mentorship Tracks by Training Level
Primary Level: Focus areas:
- Orientation to postgraduate training in Community Health
- Study planning and time management
- Understanding examination expectations and competencies
- Introduction to professional ethics and lifelong learning
Membership Level (Junior Residency): Focus areas:
- Navigating residency training and postings
- Examination readiness for Membership (Part I)
- Research methods and audit projects
- Professional conduct, teamwork, and communication skills
Fellowship Level (Senior Residency): Focus areas:
- Advanced leadership and management in public health
- Policy engagement and programme implementation
- Research supervision, publications, and grant writing
- Career development in academia, health systems, and global health
- Fellowship (Part II) examination preparation
Important Disclaimer
The Mentorship Programme is an academic and professional support initiative. Participation does not confer eligibility for examinations, certification, or progression, which remain subject to compliance with the formal training, assessment, and examination regulations of the West African College of Physicians.