Author: Vincent Amedzake

PC: AEFJN In April of this year, I took part in the 2024 Refocus: An Online Summer Forced Migration in Africa Workshop Series. It was an enlightening and enriching experience that provided valuable insights into the complexities and challenges surrounding forced migration in Africa. The series, organized by the Refugee Law Initiative, University of London, in collaboration with the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, and other esteemed partners like the IDRC, has been instrumental in fostering knowledge, critical thinking, and capacity-building among early career and emerging scholars in the field. The series was structured around four key sessions,…

Collaboration is key for amplifying impact, promoting sustainable change, and addressing complex social issues, particularly in empowering women in marginalized situations. This is evident in the current collaborative efforts of the Network of Women in Growth Ghana (NEWIG Ghana) and The Coca-Cola Foundation, which have significantly impacted over 150 women across two urban centers, Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi with Kumasi and Tamale to be reached. These training programs are part of a broader initiative designed to uplift women, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), through skills acquisition and start-up support, enabling them to achieve economic independence and improve their livelihoods. Two Training…

More than 20 African mobility scholars recently convened in Ghana for the first-ever South-South Migration Network conference, where they committed to rethinking and challenging the prevailing narratives surrounding migration in the Global South. The two-day event held from August 6-7, 2024, brought together migration academics, researchers, and activists from across the continent, aiming to decentralize knowledge production and promote locally relevant, globally impactful research. The conference, coordinated by the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Town, saw participation from countries including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. The…

Prof. Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, a renowned researcher in genetics and sickle cell disease, has been appointed to head Georgia’s Solve Sickle Cell Initiative in the United States. This role places him at the forefront of global efforts to find new treatments and cures for sickle cell disease, a condition that affects millions worldwide, particularly in Africa. His appointment is expected to bring significant advancements in sickle cell research and treatment, offering hope to those battling the disease. This appointment was made by the Georgia Research Alliance. As a global educator and researcher, Prof. Ofori-Acquah has established research centres both in…

By: Francisca Wematu Kaba Efforts by the World Health Organization and country-specific governments to eliminate malaria in Africa are receiving a breakthrough, as the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) has successfully reached and protected nearly 2 million children across Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. This MVIP initiative marks a key moment in the global fight against malaria, a disease that has long plagued these regions. Launched with the ambitious goal of implementing the malaria vaccine at scale, the MVIP has demonstrated exceptional success, particularly in regions where malaria has long been a persistent threat. Data from the World Health Organization, UNICEF,…

In a keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), Prof. Gordon A. Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Ghana, underscored the vital role of capacity building in bolstering Africa’s health research landscape. His address, delivered during a commemorative event at the World Health Organization Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, spotlighted the intersection of academic rigor, public health imperatives, and sustainable research ecosystems in the African context. A Strategic Vision for Sustainable Research Ecosystems Prof. Awandare, who also serves as the Founding Director…

The University of Ghana’s (UG) 2024 Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA) celebration culminated in an urgent call for decisive action to address the escalating galamsey menace. The illegal small-scale mining practice poses severe threats to the environment, public health, and food security, prompting experts and stakeholders to demand immediate and comprehensive interventions. The month-long celebration, held across the university’s various Colleges, Schools, and Departments, provided a platform to deliberate on scientific innovations and scholarly contributions. This year’s theme, “Galamsey: Preserving the Environment, Protecting Our Future,” brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders at the Cedi Conference…

An Associate Professor in Finance at the University of Ghana Business School’s Department of Banking and Finance, Prof. Elikplimi Komla Agbloyor, is proposing the establishment of sovereign and Africa-owned credit rating agencies to address the economic challenges faced by the continent. He highlighted the significant impact these agencies could have by leveraging their deep understanding of the African landscape and its unique economic conditions. Speaking during an inter-college lecture at the University of Ghana on the topic “A 75 Billion Dollar Question: Do African Countries Suffer a Systematic Sovereign Credit Ratings Bias?” Prof. Agbloyor argued that local credit rating agencies…

Imagine a world where the simple act of going to the bathroom could help solve a global crisis. This is the promise of the “Tiger Toilet,” a well researched and innovative composting toilet that is increasingly becoming a resort for sustainable sanitation. A case for this composting facility was made by Prof. Michael Templeton, a public health engineer and faculty at Imperial College London, at a recent Vice-Chancellor’s Occasional Lecture at the University of Ghana. The professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering highlighted this groundbreaking solution as part of a broader strategy to tackle the devastating impacts…

The Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) at the University of Ghana, Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, has outlined his vision for battery technology research and the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries to support the electronic vehicle market in Ghana. The renowned Professor of Materials Science and Engineering based his vision on the critical need for a holistic approach to harnessing Ghana’s lithium potential. He was speaking at his inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana on the topic “Beyond the Limit: Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Basic Human Needs” Prof. Dodoo-Arhin noted that “Lithium alone may not revolutionize Ghana’s…