The foundation dean of SoMS is Professor Dr. (Med) Juventus Benogle Ziem.

He holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology from the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.

He obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) degree from the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana and qualified as a Medical Doctor and was one of the pioneer students at the School of Medicine, UDS, Tamale.

He started his academic career as a Research Assistant with the UDS in 2005 and rose through the ranks to Professor of Clinical Microbiology in 2021.

He was a full-time staff with the UDS for 16 years, a part-time staff with the Catholic University of Ghana since 2013 and is now at the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo working to establish the School of Medical Sciences. Administratively, he served as Head of Department (HoD) for 13 years, Vice-Dean for 2 years and now the founding Dean of the School of Medical Sciences (SoMS) since 2021.

With 19 years of experience in academia, he has demonstrated expertise in curricula development in medical education, research, quality assurance and academic planning.

He is known for fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment and has successfully mentored many graduate and undergraduate students.

He possesses a strong passion for research and education, committed to advancing knowledge in infectious diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). In terms of research experience, he has worked on more than 10 locally and externally funded research projects in Ghana and has over 50 publications to his credit. He attended and made numerous scientific and other presentations at national and international conferences.

Prof. Ziem is a compassionate and dedicated Medical Doctor with a proven track record of providing exceptional patient care.

He possesses a comprehensive background in Laboratory Medicine, complemented by 18 years of hands-on experience in hospital and clinical settings. He is known for his strong diagnostic skills, effective communication and commitment to delivering evidence-based patient-centred care.

He practiced as a Medical Doctor with the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman in the Bono East Region, St Joseph Hospital, Jirapa in the Upper West Region and the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale in the Northern Region.

He pioneered the establishment of the University Hospitals in the Nyankpala, Wa and the Navrongo campuses of the then UDS. While at the TTH, he served as the head of the Diagnostic Laboratory for 9 years and established the Northern Area Blood Centre in Tamale.

Prof. Ziem is also an innovator and a businessman. He is the founder of Polderman Diagnostic Centre in Tamale, Kaame Clinic in Nandom and Fallu Farms Ltd.

He serves on and chairs numerous boards and committees at the National and international level including the National Accreditation Board, Institutional Visits Committee of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission among others.

He was part of the UN/WHO missions to certify Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya as Guinea worm-free countries.
His hobbies include business innovations, swimming and listening to music.

Awards he received include two-time Regional Best Farmer for the Upper West Region in 2016 and 2020 awarded by the Government of Ghana.