About WAGMC
Who we are
The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) is World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Higher Education, established under the World Bank’s ACE Impact project. Located within the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, WAGMC was founded in 2019 under the leadership of Professor Solomon Ofori-Acquah.
The Centre was created in response to a World Bank call for institutions that could tackle major development challenges through research and innovation. With a $6.3 million grant awarded by the World Bank through a financing agreement with the government of Ghana, WAGMC was launched with strong institutional support from the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, and the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Ghana.
WAGMC’s mission is to address Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) — a significant health and development challenge in West Africa — along with other genetic disorders that result from somatic mutations. Through advanced research, capacity-building, and community engagement, the Centre is driving innovation and transforming genetic health care in the region.
Vision
Improving Access to Genetic Health.
We foster a culture that integrates research, teaching and learning, service and community and public engagement to advance knowledge of human genetic disorders to promote health.
Mission
WAGMC’s mission is to address Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a significant health and development challenge in West Africa along with other genetic disorders that result from somatic mutations. Through advanced research, capacity-building, and community engagement, the Centre is driving innovation and transforming genetic health care in the region.
Background
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disorder in West Africa. Nearly 2% of livebirths in this region is affected by SCD, and 75% die by five years of age. Preventable deaths due to other common diseases with acquired genetically driven pathophysiology including leukaemia lymphoma, solid tumours, kidney disease and diabetes also pose a major development challenge in West Africa.
The Developmental Challenge of SCD and other human genetic disorders in Africa was recognized decades ago by the World Health Assembly (WHA). The Assembly issued resolution WHA59.20 urging member countries to address this challenge by developing counselling and screening programmes; medical genetics services; intensification of training of all health professionals and community volunteers; health counselling and ethical, legal and social issues; effective international cooperation, and basic and applied research in SCD. Despite the significant impact of these genetic disorders on human health in the region, no existing African Centre of Excellence (ACE) is focused on such disorders.
It is against this background, that the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) was established, with the launching of the Impact Projects in Djibouti, East Africa in February 2019.
WAGMC emerged as a centre with a clear vision: to address crucial developmental challenges related to human genetic disorders through the development of postgraduate programmes, training, applied research and community and public engagement programmes.
Currently the WAGMC team is led by a Centre Director and two deputy directors( Academic and Social Affairs & Research and Entrepreneuship)