Author: Vincent Amedzake

A network of world-class scientists across Africa has entered the global drug discovery arena following a US$7.2 million joint investment by the medical research charity LifeArc and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) programme. Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems. GC ADDA will leverage US$4.7 million (about R85 million) of the funding to develop new drugs in the fight against malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) – two of the top killers that disproportionally affect Africans – by supporting two teams led by scientists from the…

In the sprawling fields of East Africa, smallholder farmers face a multitude of challenges, from invasive weeds to relentless pests. In the quest for solutions, Professor Ratemo Michieka, a distinguished agricultural and environmental scientist from the University of Nairobi, has emerged as a leading voice advocating for a balanced approach to farming innovation. With decades of experience working closely with smallholder farmers, Professor Michieka understands the intricacies of African agriculture like few others. “I focus on smallholder agriculture because most of the food in the region is generated by farms that are only a few acres or hectares in size,”…

Rice consumption has become integral to the daily diet of Ghanaians, yet the country faces a significant gap between rice production and consumption. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of local rice production, encounter labor-intensive challenges due to limited access to mechanized farming equipment. In response to this pressing issue, a team of agricultural engineers conducted a comprehensive study in Asutsuare, a prominent rice production hub in southern Ghana. Through field surveys and analysis of secondary data, the researchers at the University of Ghana, led by Dr. Selorm Yaotse Dorvlo, a Senior lecturer, explored the potential of mechanization to enhance…

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo has urged women aspiring to build successful and impactful careers to proactively seek opportunities, cultivate mentorship relationships and develop resilience. The Vice-Chancellor was speaking at an event hosted by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ghana to commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, where she delivered a compelling address, sharing insights gleaned from her own journey to leadership. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (second from the left) In her seven-point remarks, Prof. Amfo underscored the importance of self-improvement and constructive criticism, underlining the need for women building careers to constantly strive…

After an exhilarating three-week display of African sportsmanship, the 13th edition of the African Games, Accra 2023, reached its climax with a jubilant crowd overflowing the University of Ghana Stadium on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Dubbed “Experience the African Dream,” the games spanned 16 days, featuring over 5,000 athletes from 54 member states of the African Union competing in 29 different sports disciplines right in the heart of Accra. The University’s campus served as the epicentre of the games, with the majority of the facilities for hosting the events located within its premises. The University of Ghana Stadium itself was…

Amidst the challenges faced by underprivileged communities, A-ensonga Hearts, founded by Ms. Kenndicta A-ensonga Ajene, a passionate graduate of the University of Ghana, is changing and impacting lives. Although founded in 2020, A-ensonga Hearts has spearheaded over 16 transformative projects in communities and impacted over 4000 pupils across Ghana. Some key initiatives, such as the “Floor-to-Furniture Project,” provided desks to over 500 students in Goriko Primary School, Fr. Lebel Memorial R/C Primary School, Balungu- Nabiisi D/A K.G Primary School and Amoyaama Primary School in the Upper East Region. The contributions of the organisation have extended beyond the provision of desks…

In an effort to address the pressing issue of forced displacement in Anglophone West Africa, the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana has launched a pioneering project in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre – Centre de Recherches pour le Développement International (IDRC-CRDI). The inception event and workshop, held at the Conference Hall in the Kwame Nkrumah Complex Building of the Institute of African Studies, marked the official commencement of the five-year project under the theme “Strengthening knowledge, evidence use and leadership in the Global South on forced displacement: Focus on Anglophone West Africa.” As part…