Author: Vincent Amedzake

Across the globe, health surveillance has become one of the most critical pillars of public health protection. From Ebola outbreaks in West Africa to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries have learned, sometimes the hard way, that early detection saves lives, protects economies and prevents health systems from becoming overwhelmed. At the heart of that early detection process is something less visible but equally vital, which is the safe handling and tracking of samples. As a result, sample reception centres have increasingly become essential components of modern laboratory systems. They serve as controlled entry points where clinical and environmental specimens are received,…

The University of Ghana (UG) has been named the highest-ranked university in Ghana and West Africa and placed 8th in Sub-Saharan Africa in the inaugural QS World University Rankings: Sub-Saharan Africa 2026. With an overall score of 74.8, UG excelled across several key indicators. The University achieved 90.6 in Academic Reputation, reflecting its recognition among scholars, 88.3 in International Research Network, highlighting its growing global collaborations, and 86.6 in Sustainability, showcasing its commitment to sustainable development. Other notable scores include 79.2 in Web Impact, 65.6 in Employer Reputation, 52.1 in Citations per Paper, 50.3 in Staff with PhD, 48.1 in…

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has underscored the importance of collaboration, mentorship and targeted capacity building in strengthening women and youth participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Prof. Amfo made these remarks during day one of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026, organised by the Africa Prosperity Network and held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade.” She joined a high-level panel discussion titled “From Boardrooms to Borders: Women Driving the AfCFTA Agenda,” alongside distinguished leaders, including Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo,…

The Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), University of Ghana, has officially launched its year-long 20th Anniversary celebrations to mark its two decades of excellence in migration research, postgraduate training and policy engagement across Africa. The anniversary launch brought together key national and international stakeholders to reflect on the Centre’s contributions and reaffirm its relevance to migration governance, development and regional integration. Held at the ISSER Conference Facility, the launch was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, with the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, serving as Special Guest of Honour. The…

The University of Ghana’s Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) is gearing up to celebrate 20 years of pioneering research and policy engagement with a series of high-profile events, including an International Conference scheduled for Thursday 23 and Friday 24 April 2026 at the University of Ghana, Legon. Organised in partnership with the Migration Policy Centre, European University Institute (EUI), the conference will explore the theme: “Bridging the Gap? Rethinking Engagement Between Migration Research, Policies and Practices.” The event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the intersections between migration research, policy, and practice, with a focus on African…

Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director of WACCI and 2022 Africa Food Prize Laureate, has been honoured with the Meritorious Service Award by the African Plant Breeders Association for his pioneering leadership, visionary service, and enduring contribution to advancing plant science and agricultural innovation across Africa.

A simple moment at my desk, two phones, one old and one new, made me pause and reflect on how easily we replace what once served us well. From relationships to work and friendships, we often chase the new while forgetting the old that stood by us. Yet, true growth lies not in discarding the past but in balancing gratitude with progress, learning to value both the stories that shaped us and the possibilities that lie ahead.

For many scholars and national institutions, forced displacement is often approached through the language of numbers, policies and protection frameworks. It is discussed in terms of caseloads, legal instruments, humanitarian mandates, and development responses. However, for forcibly displaced persons themselves, displacement is lived first and foremost as a daily negotiation of uncertainty, about safety, belonging, survival, and the future. In this lived reality, one question quietly shapes almost every decision is how do people find their way through displacement when formal support is limited, uneven, or absent? Increasingly, the answer lies not only in material assistance but in communication, how…

Across many fronts, fresh debates on agrifood systems are gaining momentum, driven by what experts say is the need to rethink regulation, spur innovation and recognise the role of food in sustaining livelihoods and economies. That conversation took centre stage at a recent one-day policy dialogue convened by the UG Nkabom Collaborative to bridge gaps between regulators and agrifood entrepreneurs. The gathering sought to tackle systemic challenges that frustrate innovation while unlocking opportunities for young people in Ghana’s food systems. Held under the theme “Policy in Practice: Southern Belt Stakeholder Dialogue on Agrifood Regulation and Youth Enterprises”, the event drew…

The reality of climate-induced displacement in West Africa continues to reveal far-reaching consequences for individuals, households and entire communities. Its outcomes cut across loss of livelihoods, insecurity, health risks and disrupted social fabrics and sometimes the ultimate price of death. For policymakers, governments, international organisations and researchers, the issue has become a pressing concern because of the scale of displacement, its complexity and the disproportionate impacts it has on vulnerable groups.