The College of Health Sciences has held its 4th Biennial Scientific Conference on the theme, Covid-19 Pandemic to date: The Uncertain Path Ahead.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, in charge of Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, who opened the conference on behalf of the Vice - Chancellor, reiterated the University’s commitment to providing the enabling environment for conducting high quality research to address local and global needs.
Prof. Asante underscored the importance of scientific conferences, which is an avenue for researchers to present their work, receive feedback, network and find collaborators for future research. He stated that the University’s research strategy is under review with the intention of broadening it to include Artificial Intelligence, Covid-19 and non-communicable diseases, to position the University as the African research destination of choice and industry partnerships.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, lauded the expertise and support the country received from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the peak of the pandemic. He presented an overview of Ghana’s Covid-19 response and emphasized the need for increased collaboration between academia and industry in the fight against the pandemic.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service
Mr. Festus Tettey, Chief Executive Officer, Promasidor Ghana Limited, who was the Guest Speaker at the opening of the Conference, highlighted how badly the pandemic has affected businesses and advocated for Ghana to initiate emergency preparedness for future pandemics.
In brief remarks, Prof. Andrew Anthony Adjei, Chair of the College of Health Sciences Scientific Conference Planning Committee, expressed gratitude to the members of the Committee, Heads of Academic Units and staff for the support. He seized the opportunity to encourage the Conference participants to submit their presentations for consideration to be published in the all-new Health Sciences Investigation Journal by the College; hosted by the African Journals Online (AJOL) and indexed on Scorpus.
Earlier in a welcome address, Prof. Julius N. Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences noted his excitement about the conference being held in-person after the 2020 edition was cancelled, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I would, however, wish to remind all of us that COVID-19 is still with us and encourage us all to adhere to all safety protocols put in place”, Prof. Fobil said.
Prof. Julius N. Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences
The Provost indicated that the College of Health Sciences Scientific Conference is one of several ways the College seeks to actualise its mission of promoting health through education, research and services, as well as providing promotive, preventive and curative services to address the health challenges of the nation and the global community. Prof. Fobil hoped that the assembling of professionals and experts in the health sciences coupled with the active participation of the conference participants would result in an evidence-based solution to moving from the “uncertain path” to well-defined strategies to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics and epidemics.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante informed participants of the Office of Research, Innovation and Development’s Intellectual Property Unit’s mandate of registering novel innovation of faculty and members of the University community. He encouraged the participants to document their research findings at the Unit.
As part of the three-day conference, there were poster presentations on the theme. Awards were also presented to Ms. Alfra Adomako Kwabla and Mr. Eric Nyarko for winning the Best Young Scientist and Best Oral Presenter respectively at the end of the Conference. The College also honoured Rev. Stanley Marcus Amanquah, member of the Scientific Conference Planning Committee for 15years of dedicated service, as he retires from active service.
In attendance at College of Health Sciences 4th Biennial Scientific Conference were Deans, Heads of Departments of the College, staff, members of the University Community and the media.