Prof. Gyapong Receives Delegation from IDRC/CIHR

The meeting in session

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor in charge of the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), Prof. John Gyapong has received a high profile delegation from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). The delegation is visiting various projects and researchers funded by the two organisations with a view of understanding Canada’s support and investments in health in Africa.

The delegation comprised the President of IDRC, Dr. Jean Lebel and President of CIHR, Dr. Alain Beaudet as well as the Vice- President, Corporate Strategy and Communications of IDRC, Joanne Charette.

Prof. John Gyapong welcomed them to the University. He noted that the focus of ORID as far as research is concerned is to create a vibrant intellectual climate that stimulates cutting-edge research and community engagement. He added that in line with ORID’s efforts to systematically document research works, a research report has been developed for community engagement. This he said would give people an update on the developments in the university.

Some Faculty of the university who are embarking on research collaborations with the support of the two organisations briefed the meeting on their various projects. They were the Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), Prof. Chris Gordon who briefed the meeting on the Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) project that IESS is embarking on as part of the IDRC/DFID CARIAA programme, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, who spoke on the Deltas, Vulnerability and Climate Change: Migration and Adaptation (DECCMA) project and Dr. Patrick K. Arthur from the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, whose research focus is on the discovery of the next generation of anti-biotics. Prof. Ama de-Graft Aikins, Vice-Dean of the Graduate School also briefed the delegation on a Mental health project that is assessing the services provided by Basic Needs Ghana. The Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Prof. Felix Asante, spoke on projects being undertaken by ISSER to strengthen collaboration between the University and international research institutes.

Prof. Gyapong also mentioned the International Research Chairs Initiative, facilitated by Prof. Anna Lartey. He said the project is focusing on improving childhood nutrition at the community level.

The discussions were interspersed with questions and contributions from the President of IDRC, Dr. Jean Lebel and President of CIHR, Dr. Alain Beaudet who pointed out efforts being made to scale up the research projects to ensure that they make a much bigger impact.

Also present at the meeting were the Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, the Dean of the Business School, Prof. Joshua Abor, some Chairpersons of Research Boards of the Colleges and staff of ORID.                                    

UG Organizes Send-Off Ceremony for Retirees

Retired Senior Members in a group photograph with University officials

The University of Ghana has held a send-off ceremony for 150 staff who retired from the University in July 2015. The retired staff are made up of 37 Senior Members, 51 Senior Staff and 62 Junior Staff. 

Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia

The Registrar of the University, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia who delivered the welcome remarks noted that the ceremony is organized annually to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of the retirees towards the development of the University.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey in his address expressed his gratitude to the retirees for paying their dues to the university. He commended them for their service and loyalty and urged them to be involved in health and fitness activities to keep in shape. He also encouraged them to continue to lend their support to the university when called upon. Prof. Aryeetey, announced that unlike previous years the 2015 batch of retirees would receive their ex-gratia in full.

Representatives of staff associations delivering solidarity messages

(From Top Left Dr. Harry Agbanu, Mr. Alfred Quartey and Mr. Guma Zakariah, bottom)

There were solidarity messages form the various staff Associations. The Vice-President of the University Teacher’s Association (UTAG) , Dr. Harry Agbanu delivered a solidarity message on behalf of UTAG, while the message from the Ghana Association of University Administrators   (GAUA) was delivered by the President of GAUA, Mr. Alfred Quartey. The solidarity message from the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) was delivered by Mr. Guma Zakariah, secretary of TEWU.

Mr. E.K.A.Odoom,Vice-Chairman of the University of Ghana Pension Association

The Vice-Chairman of the University of Ghana Pension Association (UGPA), Mr. E.K.A.Odoom, congratulated the Pensioners for their years of dedicated service to the University. He called on the retirees to attend the meetings of the association, held on the first Thursday of every month. A minute silence was observed in remembrance of one of the retirees, Mrs. Ann Abena Cherie Ameh, formerly of the Department of Crop Science who passed on few weeks ago.

Dr. Nana Yaw Asare Yeboah, speaking on behalf of the retirees

On behalf of the retirees, Dr Nana Yaw AsareYeboah expressed appreciation to the University for a grand send-off.

Present at the get-together were the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), Prof. John Gyapong, the Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. John Ofosu Anim, the Director of Finance Mr. Richard Boapea, the Acting Director of the Human Resource and Organisational Development Directorate (HRODD), Mr. Daniel Baidoo, the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa as well as families of the retirees.

Retired Senior Staff in a group photograph with University officials

Retired Junior Staff in a group photograph with University officials

Joint Complementary Food Project Workshop Held

Participants in a group photograph after the workshop

The Department of Nutrition and Food Science has organized a joint complementary food project results dissemination workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to ascertain the efficacy and effectiveness of a complementary food supplement (KOKO Plus) in improving the nutritional status of Ghanaian infants aged 6 to 24 months, based on a research conducted in Ghana.

The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu who represented the Vice-Chancellor said the project has attracted several implementing partners to become a unique multi-lateral public-private partnership. He cited key indicators of the 2014 Ghana demographic and health survey which revealed that stunting is still prevalent among children in Ghana. Prof. Owusu also expressed concern about the prevalence of anemia, attributing it to the poor complementary foods given to infants. While lauding the collaborative partnership of the joint complementary food project, he said the approach was perfectly in tune with the university’s strategic vision of engaging with partners in research projects. He mentioned some key partnerships that have existed between the University and its Japanese partners, such as the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. The Provost encouraged prospective partners with ideas and initiatives to engage the university in public-private partnerships.

The Head of the Nutrition Department of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs. Esi Amoafo who delivered the keynote address,emphasized the need to find lasting solutions to the problem of under nutrition among infants. She said this could be done by providing complementary food that is available, affordable, acceptable and safe to meet the growth needs of children. She cautioned that the period from pregnancy till a child attained 2 years is a critical period for adequate nutrition. Mrs. Amoafo noted that according to the Ghana Health Service, 1 out of every 5 children under the age of 5 suffers from stunting, which makes such children smaller than theirage group mates. She indicated that stunting is largely irreversible after the age of 2.  She further cited statistics from the Ghana Health Service which indicate that about 50% of death in children in developing countries including Ghana is attributable to malnutrition. She called for the establishment of integrated delivery systems and strategies, as well as social marketing and education campaigns to solve the problem.

Prof. Kwaku Tano-Debrah of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science who together with some partners conceived the Complementary Food Project idea noted the purpose of the workshop was to present and report to stakeholders the key findings and developments of the project based on a survey conducted in the Northern and Eastern regions. He thanked all the stakeholders who helped in the launching and implementation of the project. Speaking on the development and production of KOKO Plus, Prof.K.Tano-Debrah explained that KOKO plus is a high quality complementary food supplement with protein (containing the recommended amounts of all essential amino acids and micronutrients) which has been developed in a collaborative research study to address malnutrition in infants in Ghana. He pointed out that the nutritional efficacy and effectiveness of delivery channels of the product has been tested in different communities.

The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Mr. Shigeru Umetsu spoke on the adverse effects of malnutrition as a significant indirect cause of child mortality. He indicated that the complementary food project is supported by the Ghana Health Service, NGOs, international agencies and the private sector. He said the Japanese government is delighted to lend its support to the project through Ajinomoto and has provided 2million dollars to support malnutrition globally. He commended workers at the Sunyani plant where KOKO Plus is produced for the good work.

Dr. Shibani Ghosh, from the International Nutrition Foundation (INF), who is one of the initiators of the project gave a graphical presentation on the effect of KOKO Plus on the growth pattern of Ghanaian infants. The presentation revealed the findings of a three arm community based randomized controlled intervention.

Another initiator of the project, Dr. Grant Aaron of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition,(GAIN) made a presentation at the workshop on marketing and distribution of KOKO Plus. He elaborated on this by making a comparison of two market-based approaches which were used in conducting a survey in the Northern and Eastern regions respectively.

Speaking on the way forward, the Director of Nutrition Improvement Projects at Ajinomoto, Dr Yasuhiko Toride spoke on the prospects and challenges in scaling up the nutrition project. He noted that the Ghana Nutrition Improvement Project is a multi-stakeholder, private-partnership project with the goal of establishing a “Social Business” model which is a sustainable business to solve social problems such as infant malnutrition in developing countries.He said that the scaling up could be achieved by having a close collaboration with the public sector such as the Ghana Health Service and NGOs to provide nutrition education to mothers in rural communities. Dr Yasuhiko Taride encouraged the consumption of KOKO Plus as it is both delicious, nutritious and at an affordable price. He recommended KOKO Plus as a healthy food supplement.

The Chairperson for the workshop was Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Dean of the School of Biological Sciences.

There was a question and answer session and the audience asked some pertinent questions and also made some key contributions.

Representatives from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Plan International, Care International, Yedent Agro Company Limited, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the USAID who are partners on the project delivered remarks at the workshop.

EPI Scholarship Officials Visit UG

EPI scholarship beneficiaries in a group photograph with benefactors and SFAO officials

The Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei has received two officials from Educational Pathways International (EPI).  The two officials, Mrs. Sara LaFrance, President of EPI and her husband Mr. Leonard LaFrance were in the University to administer EPI scholarships to fresh student beneficiaries admitted into the University in the 2015/2016 academic year.

The meeting with EPI Officials in session

Prof. Offei, who is also the Chairperson of the Students Financial Aid Office Board conveyed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the university to the benefactors for their continuous support. He pledged the commitment of the university in ensuring that the scholarship scheme is viable and briefed them on some developments that were taking place in the University.

Mrs. Sara La Franc on her part, expressed appreciation to all those involved in the administration of the EPI funds. She revealed that some students who had been on the EPI scholarship and have graduated from the university are achieving great successes in their various fields such as medicine and accountancy, adding that some were also pursuing doctoral degrees.

The Head of the Students Financial Aid Office, Mrs. Christine Banning who is in charge of the management and disbursement of the funds to the students gave an update of current developments at the SFAO. She stated that the call for application and interviews for freshmen to enroll on the EPI scholarship for the 2015/2016 academic year had ended. Consequently, 13 students have been selected for the scholarship. She noted that the selected students were able to demonstrate their giftedness and capabilities through effective and articulate communication. Mrs. Banning also disclosed that 8 beneficiaries of the EPI scholarships graduated from the university last year while a total of 44 students are currently on the scholarship programme. In addition, she stated that 4 students are on probation and two have been taken off the programme due to their inability to meet the required cumulative grade point average.

Present at the meeting was the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella Amoa as well as Mrs. Maame Efua Ocansey, from the SFAO and Mr. Benedict Ofosu, the Assistant Registrar at the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Student beneficiaries at the lunch interaction at the University Guest Centre

An interaction was later held with the beneficiary students over lunch which was also attended by the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. James Adomako and the Director the Counselling and Placement Centre, Mrs Jocelene Buckman.

Prof. Offei, Pro-VC (ASA) making a presentation to Mr. and Mrs. LaFrance

 

 

 

 

Delegation From Tianjin University Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Visits UG

The meeting in session

A 7-member delegation from the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TUTCM) has paid a visit to the University of Ghana. The delegation, made up of Professors of Traditional Chinese Medicine were received by Prof. John Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor in charge of the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID).

The visit was held to advance the joint research programme on Research and Development of Medicinal Plants in Ghana between UG and TUTCM. The project is supported by the Chinese Ministry of Education and is being undertaken by the two institutions.

Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Gyapong noted that universities all over the world are learning to collaborate with one another due to the immense benefits derived from such collaborations. To this end, he said the University was committed to deepening the existing collaboration with the TUTCM.

A key issue during the discussions was the importance of the use of traditional medicines in Ghana.  Prof. Gyapong informed the delegation of the challenges Ghana is currently facing with regards to           introducing standardization for the use of herbal medicines. He stressed the need for traditional medicines to be standardized and approved in order to be beneficial.  He noted that with the establishment of a School of Pharmacy at the University as well as the Mampong Centre for Research into Plant Medicine, there is still more that needs to be done to improve on the study of herbal medicines in the university. He said the University of Ghana was ready to take advantage of the knowledge base and expertise on herbal medicine from China considering that China has a proven record of proficiency in the area of traditional medicines, in addition to establishing a university solely for that purpose.

Prof. Gyapong also encouraged the team to explore other medicinal plant resources in Accra and the country at large.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Professor and Dean at the International Education College, TUTCM, Mr. Ying Senlin thanked Prof. Gyapong for the reception. He explained that apart from the Institution’s focus on traditional medicines, it is also poised to develop the TUTCM into a reputable international status hence the need to engage with the world’s top universities such as the University of Ghana.

Prof. Nyarko, Acting Dean of the School of Pharmacy expressed satisfaction at the collaboration between the University and the TUTCM and was optimistic of building stronger ties in future.

During discussions with the delegation, Prof. Gyapong pointed out the need to reflect on the achievements and outcomes of the collaboration between the University of Ghana and the TUTCM. He said the assessment of the collaboration was relevant to monitor progress and pitfalls over the last 5 years. Going forward, he emphasized that it is essential to deal with lapses that had emerged during the period of collaboration and also map out strategies for improvement.

Prof. Gyapong presented copies of the UG Research Report to the delegation to update them on research conducted in the university. He also received a presentation from the delegation.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Awards Brilliant Students

An Awardee receiving her prize from the Chinese Ambassador

The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Madam Sun Baohong has presented awards to 28 brilliant students who have excelled in the study of the Chinese language and culture at the University of Ghana.

Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs who chaired the awards ceremony, congratulated the recipients and challenged them to do better in the study of the Chinese language. He was also optimistic that the partnership between the university and China would open more opportunities for students.  

Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs

The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Sun Baohong acknowledged the staunch support for the teaching of the Chinese language at the University of Ghana and expressed her appreciation to all the Chinese teachers in the University and Confucius Institute for their dedication. She further encouraged the students to strive to overcome any challenges in their studies and to commit to studying the Chinese language earnestly. This, she noted would enable them make great contributions to economic transformation and development of both Ghana and China and also promote peace and development of the world at large.

H.E. Madam Sun Baohong,the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana

Dr Winnard Kofi Adzanku, the Chinese Coordinator at the University of Ghana Confucius Institute expressed gratitude to the former Chinese Ambassador, Gong Jianzhong for instituting the award scheme. Dr Adzanku said the award was instituted four years ago to reward and motivate brilliant students in the study of the Chinese language and culture.  

He also commended the current Chinese Ambassador for sustaining programme. He noted that the Bachelor of Arts programme being supported by the Chinese government has produced over fifty graduates.

Dr Adzanku, the Chinese Coordinator at the University of Ghana Confucius Institute

The awardees were presented with certificates and cash prizes ranging from USD 300 to 600. A total of GHS 6,000 was also given to students from the Confucius Institute teaching sites at the University Basic School, Ghana Institute of Languages and the Rising Sun Montessori.

A representative of the awardees, Maame Ekua Ampem thanked the Chinese Ambassador for the awards. She said the awards is an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of the Chinese culture and also take up roles in promoting China-Ghana culture, economic, science and technology exchanges and cooperation.

Present at the event were Mrs. Haizel-Ashia, the Registrar and Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, the Deputy Director of Confucius Institute and Head of the Department of Modern Languages.

A cross section of the audience

Donation to Balme Library by the Socialist Forum

Prof. Badu, Ag. Librarian

The Pan-African Congress Legacy Project has made a donation of thirty (30) books written by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and others complied and published by the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG) to the Balme library.

Receiving the books on behalf of the library, Prof. Ellis Badu, Ag. University Librarian thanked the donors for considering the University as one of the institutions to benefit from the works of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He also assured them that the books will be well secured and made available to students and patrons of the Library to tap into the rich knowledge and ideologies of Ghana’s first president.

Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr, PAC Legacy project

Speaking on behalf of the Pan-African Congress Legacy Project group, Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr expressed confidence that the University, especially the Balme Library would put the books to good use. He was hopeful that the books would impact and train the next generation of African leaders who would emancipate Africa from neo-colonialism and make sure that the continents resources are used for the benefit of its people.

Some of the books donated include; Africa Must Unite, I Speak Of Freedom, Class Struggle In Africa, Revolutionary Path, The Autobiography Of Kwame Nkrumah, Challenge Of The Congo, Axioms Of Kwame Nkrumah, Towards Colonialism.

UG and Brown University Partner to Build Capacity in TB & HIV Research

A group photograph taken after the ceremony

The University of Ghana in partnership with  Brown University have been awarded a $1.45 million U.S. dollar grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Fogarty International Centre to build the capacity at the post-graduate level for Tuberculosis  and HIV research in Ghana. The grant partnership was launched at a meeting which took place at the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID).

Prof. John Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor of ORID

Prof. John Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Office of Research Innovation and Development who chaired the event was keen on the nature of research to be conducted. He emphasized that research should be driven by the goal of impacting lives to solve real life situations and offer immediate solutions to problems. According to him, the grant is a timely opportunity for the University of Ghana in terms of contributing to knowledge to advance the management of HIV and TB. He maintained that, beyond advancing the frontiers of knowledge, research productivity is a critical factor to be carefully considered.  Prof. Gyapong threw a challenge to researchers at the University of Ghana to demonstrate to the world that the quality of research conducted can measure up to international standards. He also emphasized that the success of the research programme would depend on working closely with the Ghana Health Service.

A wide range of issues were discussed with regards to finding lasting solutions to the control of TB and HIV in Ghana.

Dr. Awewura Kwara, Principal Investigator from the Brown University

Dr. Awewura Kwara, Principal Investigator from the Brown University gave a comprehensive presentation about UG-Brown University Partnership and also touched on the essence of the award of the grant. He indicated that the long-term goal of the grant is to strengthen the institutional capacity of the University of Ghana for multidisciplinary research focused on addressing TB/ HIV research priorities. He pointed to the fact that graduates would be trained to delve into key research areas such as TB prevention, childhood and maternal TB, drug resistance in TB, programmes funding, integration of TB and HIV services, among others. Dr. Kwara noted that there are some areas  that need a boost in capacity and these include; Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Clinical Behavioral and Social Sciences, Basic Sciences, and Implementation Science Research.

Prof. Margaret Lartey, Programme Director of the project

The Programme Director of the project, Prof. Margaret Lartey of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, recalled the first US and USAID sponsored grant of 1.1 million dollars that was awarded the UG-Brown University partnership over five years ago, towards a research capacity building project. She made a passionate appeal to trainees in the TB/HIV research programme to always remember their roots and return to help develop research after pursuing their careers. She also advised them to impact their knowledge to others to address the problem of TB and HIV in Ghana.

Prof. Lartey mentioned that lack of Biostatisticians is a challenge being faced by the College of Health Sciences and expressed satisfaction that a portion of the funds has been allocated for the purpose of enabling the trainees pursue PhD in Biostatistics. She stressed that this move is extremely crucial because the role of Biostatisticians in research is vital, adding that the study of Biostatistics is an area of need for most would-be researchers.  She pledged the University of Ghana’s readiness to work hard to make the best outcome of the grant and also to increase its visibility as a research university while providing more local capacity to deal with disease epidemics. While thanking the National Institute of Health and Fogarty International for funding the project, Prof. Lartey also acknowledged partner universities from South Africa, the National TB, HIV and STI Programme Managers, the Ghana Health Service, Co-Principal Investigators from Brown University and ORID for all their support.

Dr. Frank Bonsu, Programme Director, National Tuberculosis Control Programme

The National Tuberculosis Control Programme Director, Dr. Frank Bonsu announced that Ghana would host a TB, HIV, Tobacco and Non-communicable Disease Conference in 2017.The conference would be held in Accra and under the theme “Accelerating Implementation through Partnership to End TB, HIV, Tobacco and Other Related Non-Communicable Diseases”.

Dr. Steve Ayisi-Addo, Director of the National Aids Control Programme

Dr. Steve Ayisi-Addo, Director of the National Aids Control Programme noted that his outfit as part of its mandate would provide strategic information to guide Ministries, Departments and Agencies to assist in the HIV control and prevention in Ghana. He added that his outfit would lend its support to the UG-Brown University TB/HIV research programme.

The University of Ghana and Brown University have been engaged in collaborations since 2004 and have undertaken several research projects.

The ceremony was attended by faculty and students from the College of Health Sciences, particularly from the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Public Health.