This new lab championed by the University of Ghana’s Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), is part of the “Supporting a Drug Discovery Hub in Ghana” research project and is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, the lab is expected to boost the efforts of researchers to develop new drugs and build the capacity of young researchers. This facility becomes one of the first of its kind in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa, heralding a new era for scientific research in the region.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, administrators and representatives from various Departments and project team members, underscored the critical role the lab will be playing in advancing healthcare initiatives across the sub-region.
Speaking at the commissioning event, the Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and Chair of the ceremony, Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, stated the importance of the collaborative efforts that led to the lab’s establishment. He thanked the funders for their invaluable support and stressed the need for proper maintenance of the lab’s space and equipment.
Prof. Onwona-Agyeman encouraged the team to collaborate with the College’s Materials Office to develop a comprehensive manual for equipment safekeeping and lab maintenance.
Prof. Linda Eva Amoah, a Senior Research Fellow from the Department of Immunology, delivering remarks on the Project Lead and Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute, Prof. Yeboah-Manu, highlighted the significance of the facility for the University and its potential to contribute to crucial drug discoveries and the training of young chemists.
Prof. Amoah, who is also a member of the project team, expressed gratitude for the funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and called on the leadership Department of Chemistry to ensure the lab produces world-class findings.
In his remarks, Prof. Richard K. Amewu, Head of the Department of Chemistry and a member of the research team overseeing the facility, hailed the lab as a significant milestone. He remarked, “This lab represents a key achievement and a big step forward in our collective efforts to drive innovation and address healthcare challenges on the continent.”
The Professor of Chemistry added that the lab would focus on drug discovery to combat diseases, marking it as a first for Ghana and much of Africa.
Retired Associate Professor of Chemistry, Prof. William Asumaning, commended the collaborators for combining efforts to ensure the lab was put in place. He believed the lab holds the potential to help change the narrative and ensure Africa plays a strong role in drug development for the use of Africans. “This lab is proof of the ability of partnerships and collective action in advancing scientific discovery,” he noted.
Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, Dean School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, also sharing brief thoughts at the ceremony, expressed his excitement at the outcomes of both internal and external collaborations, praising the strategic partnerships that made the lab possible. “Congratulations to the team and the University for this unique lab. I believe the commitment which has led to this new lab will go a long way to help advance drug discovery and development in Africa,” he remarked.
In the same vein, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, applauded the research team for their substantial efforts that led to the equipping of the lab. She encouraged faculty members to share their findings and collaborate widely to enhance research in medicinal chemistry. “We look forward to the work that will be done here and hope you will collaborate widely. I urge you to collaborate widely across the university and let us see some wonderful work being done here.”
The Drug Innovation Group lab is a significant step towards establishing a drug discovery hub in Ghana, addressing diseases relevant to the West African region. Spearheaded by Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director of NMIMR, Prof. Linda Eva Amoah, and Prof. Richard Kwamla Amewu, the project collaborates with researchers from the University of Dundee, the University of Cape Town, the University of Pennsylvania, Medicines of Malaria Venttures (MMV), and Dr. Arnold Forkuo of KNUST.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project aims to build a screening cascade for antimalarial drugs, validate hit series, and initiate hit-to-lead chemistry on MMV series. Current activities include synthesising small molecules for antimalarial assessment and consolidating screening assays.
This initiative unites fragmented research efforts, enhances human capacity, and develops the necessary infrastructure, positioning Ghana as a leader in drug discovery and development. The lab is poised to make substantial contributions to healthcare innovation in Africa.
