Augustine Botwe, a Ghana native with a background in program evaluation and social research, embarked on a new journey when he moved to Edmonton in January of 2022 to pursue his PhD studies. Having lived in various countries across the globe, Botwe felt relatively prepared for the colder climate of Canada, citing his experience in Mongolia as a reference point. However, he soon realized that Canada presented unique challenges for newcomers, particularly in accessing essential services like healthcare.
Despite his extensive travel experience, Botwe found Canada to be the most challenging in terms of integrating and accessing services. This realization prompted him to focus his PhD research on the current healthcare model for refugees and its impact on the health outcomes of refugee children. Under the supervision of Dr. Cheryl Poth and Dr. Rebecca Gokiert, Botwe is conducting his research at Edmonton’s New Canadians Health Centre, a community-based health center that provides culturally safe services to refugees.
Botwe’s research aims to contribute valuable insights to the literature on refugee healthcare and offer evidence-based recommendations for improving healthcare delivery for refugee children. He hopes to advocate for a paradigm shift in the healthcare system to better address the unique health needs of refugees, not just in Alberta but across Canada. As a recipient of the 2024 Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship, Botwe is grateful for the financial support but recognizes the challenges faced by other international students paying high fees without similar support.
In addition to his research, Botwe acknowledges the support of his co-supervisors, colleagues, and family in pursuing his PhD. He also emphasizes the importance of easing the financial burden for all international students in Canadian post-secondary institutions. Through his work and advocacy, Botwe is committed to making a positive impact on refugee healthcare and contributing to policy dialogue in Canada.
Overall, Augustine Botwe’s journey from Ghana to Canada exemplifies the challenges and opportunities faced by newcomers in accessing essential services like healthcare. His research and advocacy efforts aim to improve the healthcare system for refugees and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society for all.