Dr. James Orleans-Lindsay, Executive Chairman of JL Holdings and Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), has announced that the university will establish a medical school within the next two years.
Once completed, it will become the first medical school set up by a Technical University in Ghana.
Speaking at the Africa Rising Symposium held at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Dr. Orleans-Lindsay said the new project will support Ghana’s healthcare needs.
“We will be starting Cape Coast Technical University Medical School in the next 24 months to produce doctors for our region, so our facilities will be staffed and resourced at the required levels,” he stated.
The medical school project will be led by Prof. Harold Amonoo-Kuofi, a Professor of Medicine, alongside the Vice-Chancellor of CCTU, Prof. Kwaku Adutwum Boakye. It will be located in Cape Coast, the hometown of Dr. Orleans-Lindsay, who has often spoken of his desire to transform the city.
In addition, he revealed plans to begin work in September 2026 on Ghana’s first “15-Minute City,” an urban development project planned for Accra. The goal is to create a sustainable city where everything people need — from jobs to hospitals and restaurants — is within a short bike ride.
“This is a city where everything – from workplaces and banks to hospitals and restaurants – is within a 15-minute bike ride. It reflects my belief in building sustainably and promoting a green environment,” he said.
He explained that the idea supports a global move towards building compact, walkable cities and stressed that Africa should take the lead in such innovation.
Dr. Orleans-Lindsay, who also serves as the president of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), shared how JL Plantations, part of JL Holdings, is using Artificial Intelligence to boost crop production in Ghana.
“As the Founder and Executive Chairman of JL Plantations, we have integrated AI into our operations by investing in Irrigoptimal – a Maltese digital company that helps forecast our water usage three days in advance and monitors pests to prevent crop diseases; ultimately improving yields,” he noted.
He added that JL Plantations is also taking steps to protect the environment, with a plan to plant 500,000 economic trees to replace the timber used in their real estate projects.
Dr. Orleans-Lindsay, who is also the Chief Patron of the Cape Coast Youth Development Association, is actively supporting programmes that help young Ghanaians in their education and career paths.
He ended his speech with a strong message to African leaders and young professionals.
“My simple message to those gathered here this morning is that Africa needs doers, not talkers. You always have to keep your eye on the ball, but first you must have a ball. Your ball is Ghana – keep your eye on Ghana for investment.
“If each of us has the audacity to do what is required to change the mindset, if we choose to put country before self by doing rather than talking, we will not only rise – we can dominate, because this century is Africa’s,” he concluded.
