News

Scientists at the University of Ghana have successfully sequenced genomes of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining important information about the genetic composition of viral strains in 15 of the confirmed cases in Ghana.

The government is working with partners to ensure that people living with sickle cell diseases (SCD) have access to Hydroxyurea, a more efficient drug for the treatment of the disease in the country through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who announced this in Accra yesterday, said: “We have the opportunity as Ghana to be the first African country to ensure that access to Hydroxyurea and its associated treatment costs are granted through the NHIS to every Ghanaian whose doctors and nurses prescribe this medicine for them.”

Professor Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, Dean, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, and Centre Leader, West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) has been appointed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States (US), as Permanent Member of the Haematology research committee, known as the Molecular and Cellular Hematology Study Section. The appointment is for a six-year term from 2019-2025.

A University of Ghana (UG) delegation led by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu has completed a visit to the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) in Japan to boost the university’s emerging programmes in genetics research and training. The VC was accompanied by Professor Solomon Ofori-Acquah, Dean, School of Biomedical and Allied Sciences and Centre Leader of the new West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), and Professor Boniface Kayang, Head, Department of Animal Science. The visit is the culmination of several years of collaboration fostered by Prof. Kayang with researchers in Kyoto University and more recently with NIG.

The World Bank has selected three Centres of the University of Ghana for funding under the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Impact project. ACE Impact is a continuation of the initial ACE (ACE I) project that was launched in 2014 by West and Central African countries with support from the World Bank and the Association of African Universities. ACE Impact is focused on scaling up postgraduate education and applied research that are fundamental to economic growth in Africa. The two existing ACEs of the University, the West African Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) led by Professor Eric Danquah, and the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) led by Professor Gordon Awandare, will each receive $5.5 million. A new ACE in the University named the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) led by Professor Solomon Ofori-Acquah will receive $6.4 million.

Washington, D.C. – The US Assistant Secretary for Health, ADM Brett P. Giroir, M.D., presented the Assistant Secretary of Health (ASH) Exceptional Service Medal to Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong recognizing him for his outstanding contributions on behalf of the millions of people worldwide suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD). The civilian medal is awarded for exceptional achievement to the cause of public health and medicine, and is the highest civilian award from the Public Health Service, which includes all health divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Ohene-Frempong is the first civilian recipient of the ASH Exceptional Service Medal.

The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), a new African Centre of Excellence (ACE) in the University of Ghana, has completed a 3-week outreach programme in the Akyem Abuakwa State.  As Chair of the Medical sub-Committee of the Royal Tour commemorating the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Okyenhene, Osageyfo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Professor Solomon Ofori-Acquah, Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences seized the opportunity to propel WAGMC into the national limelight by launching the Centre’s first community outreach programme as an integral part of the anniversary celebrations.