Author: Vincent Amedzake

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…

Women’s economic empowerment organization, the Network of Women in Growth (NEWIG Ghana), has, through a partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation, equipped 120 women in the Greater Accra Region with valuable vocational skills. The training program provided practical skills in mushroom cultivation, soap making, and snail farming. Additionally, participants received training in financial literacy, business management, pension contributions, and managing work-related stress, aiming to enhance their economic independence and sustainability. This initiative is the first phase of a broader two-year project titled “Economic Inclusion of Marginalised Women Living in Urban Areas,” which is being implemented in Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale.…

Professor Daniel Frimpong Ofori, a Project and Applied Management Specialist and Professor of Management at the University of Ghana Business School, has described strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a key tool for organizational success. Prof. Ofori, who led the drafting of the Ghana National CSR Policy (NSCRP) between 2013 and 2014, made this assertion during his inaugural lecture on the topic “Of Indomie, Kalypo and Condoms: An Intimate Conversation about Corporate Social Responsibility in Ghana.” Prof. Ofori discussed the theoretical dimensions of CSR and what is expected of organizations. “CSR means that an organization should be held accountable for…

Amidst the recent rise in migration of Africans seeking greener pastures in Europe and the Americas, Prof. Mary Boatemaa Setrana has called for individuals planning to migrate to reinvest their skills and capital into their home countries to support Africa’s development goals. Prof. Setrana, a distinguished migration scholar, believes that significant opportunities for improvements in Africa’s development fortunes exist if those seeking to migrate reconsider and reinvest their skills to improve Africa. She delivered this message during her keynote address at the June 2024 MIGNEX Conference organized by the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of…