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Akua Obeng Forson (PhD)

Akua Obeng Forson (PhD)
Head of Department, Medical Laboratory Sciences Department Senior Lecturer
asobeng@ug.edu.gh/obeng.akua@yahoo.com
0541937023

Ongoing Research:

  1. Project title: Fungal assemblages in Anopheles mosquito breeding habitats. Amount:  $ 23,500, Agency: Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA-Africa) Project III. Date: 01/04/2022 – 31/12/2023, Role: PI

 

  1. Project title: Challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable coverage of mass drug administration towards the control and elimination of Soil Transmitted Helminths and Schistosomiasis in hard-to-reach communities of Ghana. Amount:  $ 29,900,     Agency: African Research Network for Neglected Tropical, Diseases       Date: 01/03/2022 – 31/03/2023, Role: PI

 

  1. Project title: Bacteria assemblages in breeding habitats of malaria transmitting mosquitoes. Amount:  $ 35,000,        Agency: American Association of University Women (AAUW),        Date: 01/07/2020 – 31/07/2021, Role: PI

 

  1. Project title: Characterization of Campylobacter associated gastric enteritis among patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Accra, Ghana. Agency: ORID Grant,  Amount: GHC7500, Date: 06/06/2015 – 31/09/2016,             Role: PI

 

Scholarship    

1.         The School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana (GET FUND) Staff Development Award, Date: 2009 - 2013, Purpose: Ph.D.  Education at the University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia, Amount: 120, 0000 AU$,

 

2.         University of South Australia (2010) Hard Degree Research Travel Scholarship to present at The Australian Society for Microbiology 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting (Sydney 2010), Amount: 2,000AU$.

 

3.         Society of Applied Microbiology (UK) (2011) Studentship Travel Grant Scholarship to attend Society of Applied Microbiology (UK) (2011), Amount: 2,500 £.

 

4.         University of South Australia (2012) Hard Degree Research Travel Grant Scholarship to present at The Australian Society for Microbiology 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting (Brisbane, July 2012), Amount: 2,000 AU$.

 

5.         University of Ghana, Legon (2017) Office of Research and Innovation Travel Grant to present at The Australian Society for Microbiology 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting (Gateshead, July 2017), Amount: 2,000 USD $.

 

Research Interests

My field of research is in microbial genetics in infectious diseases. I am interested in understanding microbial interaction and its effects on vector growth, survival and how it shapes disease epidemiology. My current work aims to identify candidate bacteria in mosquito breeding habitats that can be exploited for vector control through an attract-and-kill strategy.

This forms part of an overall goal to contribute feasible and innovative methods for future disease control. I aim to achieve this through the use of advanced molecular and genomic tools.

I am using metagenomics to identify bacteria in the breeding habitat of mosquito vectors, studying the effect of the environment on their productivity, the functions of the bacteria in vector competence, and their mechanism of action within the vectors. I hope to expand these studies to identify other microbiome (e.g algae, fungi and viruses) in other vectors.

Besides medical entomology, I also have interests in antibiotic resistance and food safety research in sub-Saharan Africa. I support such studies with knowledge of molecular techniques to understand antimicrobial drug resistance, improve medical diagnoses and epidemiology.

Keywords:

  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Food Safety
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis and Evolution
  • Medical entomology
  • Microbiota
  • Vector-borne diseases
  • Metagenomics

 

Key/Notable Publications in Peer review journals                                                             

 

  1. Forson, A. O., Hinne, I. A., Dhikrullahi, S. B. Afrane A.  Y. The resting behavior of malaria vectors in different ecological zones of Ghana and its implications for vector control. Parasites Vectors, 2022, 15, 246:1-14.
  2. Forson A. O., Dickson Agyei Menkah D. A., Quarchie M. N., Dhikrullahi S. B., Olu-Taiwo M., Codjoe F. S. Bacterial Drug Resistance Patterns and Genetic Diversity of Bacteria associated Bacteriuria in Diabetic Patients in Ghana. International Journal of Infectious Diseases Regions, 2021, 1:142-149
  3. Olu-Taiwo, M. A. Obeng P.  Forson, A. O. Bacteriological Analysis of Raw Beef Retailed in Selected Open Markets in Accra, Ghana,  2021, Article ID 6666683.
  4. Olu-Taiwo, M. A. Laryea, C. A. Mykels, D. K. Forson, A. O. Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on the Mobile Phones and Computer Keyboards of Healthcare University Students in Ghana, Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2021, Article ID 6647959:1-8. 
  5. Hinne, I. A. Attah, S. K. Mensah, B. A. Forson, A. O. Afrane Y. A. Larval Habitat Diversity and Anopheles Mosquito Species Distribution in different Ecological Zones in Ghana. Parasites & Vectors, 2021, 14, 193:1-14.
  6. Olu-Taiwo,M. Baakwa M. D. Forson, A. O. Microbial Quality of Sliced Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Sold on Some Streets of Accra Metropolis, Ghana. International Journal of Microbiology, 2021, 6695957: 1 - 8.
  7. Forson, A. O. Nana Adjei, D. Olu-Taiwo, M. Quarchie, M. N. Asmah, H. R. Characterization of Campylobacter associated gastric enteritis among patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a hospital in Accra, Ghana. PLoS ONE, 2020, 15, 10:1-13.
  8. Olu-Taiwo, M.A., Opintan, J.A., Codjoe, F.S., Forson, A. O. Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Acinetobacter spp. From Clinical Isolates at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ghana. BioMed Research International, 2020, 3852419: 1 - 8.
  9. Forson, A. O.Tsidi W. B., Nana‑Adjei, D.Quarchie M. N. and Noah Obeng‑Nkrumah. Escherichia coli bacteriuria in pregnant women in Ghana: antibiotic resistance patterns and virulence factors. BMC Res Notes, 2018, 11, 901: 1-7.
  10. Forson, A. O. Arthur I., Ayeh-Kumi, P. F. “The role of family size, employment and education of parents in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren in Accra”PLoS ONE, 2018, 13(2): e0192303.
  11. Forson, A. O. Gyasi P. B., Olu-Taiwo, M. Ayeh-kumi, P. F. “Microbial Assessment of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Sold at Some Central Markets in Ghana”BioMed Research International, 2018, Article ID: 6743826:1-7.
  12. Donkor, E. S. Evans, F. Anim-Baidoo, I. Nana-Adjei, D. Olu-Taiwo, M. Forson, A. O. Investigating the prevalence of antibiotic residues in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Sniloticus) sold in some central markets in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Food Research, 2018,7, 6:1-9.
  13. Forson, A. O. Arthur, I. Olu-Taiwo, M. Glover, K. K.Pappoe-Ashong P. J. Ayeh-Kumi. P. F.“Intestinal parasitic infections and risk factors: a cross-sectional survey of some school children in a suburb in Accra, Ghana”. BMC Research Notes, 2017, 10, 485:1 – 5.
  14. Forson, O.A.Ayanka, E. Olu-Taiwo, M., Pappoe-Ashong P.J., Ayeh-Kumi P.F. “Bacterial Infections in Burn Wound Patients at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana”. Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters, 2017, 30, 2:1 – 5.
  15. Ayeh-Kumi, P.F. Larbie, N. G. Olu-Taiwo M.Forson, O. A. “Prevalence of Gastro-intestinal Parasites in Chickens Sold in Some Major Markets in Greater Accra, Ghana”. International Journal of Poultry Science, 2016, Vol. 15, Issue 8, Pg. 335-342.
  16. Ayeh-Kumi, P. F.Osafo, K. O. Attah, K. S. Obeng-Nkrumah, N. Tetteh-Quarcoo, P. B. Awuah-Mensah, G. Abbey, H. N. A. Obeng A. Cham, M. Asare, L. Duedu, O. K. Asmah R. H. “Malaria, Helmiths and Malnutrition: a cross-sectional survey of school children in the South-Tongu district of Ghana”. BMC Research Notes, 2016, 9, 242: 1- 12.
  17. Obeng, A. S. Rickard, H. Ndi, O. Sexton, M. Barton, M. D. “Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococci and Escherichia coli in egg layers and meat chicken flocks during production cycle” International Journal of Poultry Science, 2014, 13, 9: 489 - 503.
  18. Ayeh-Kumi, P. F. Tetteh-Quarcoo, P. B. Duedu, K. O. Obeng, A. S. Addo-Osafo, K. Mortu S. Asmah. R. H. “A survey of pathogens associated with Cyperus esculentus L (Tiger nuts) tubers sold in a Ghanaian city”, BMC Research Notes, 2014, 7, 1: 343.
  19. Obeng, A. S. Rickard, H. Ndi, O. Sexton, M. Barton, M. D. “Comparison of antimicrobial resistance patterns in enterococci from intensive and free-range chickens in Australia” Avian Pathology, 2012, 42: 45 - 54.
  20. Obeng, A. S. Rickard, H. Sexton, M. Pang, Y. Peng H.and Barton, M. D. “Antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistant genes in Campylobacter strains isolated from poultry and pigs in Australia” Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2012, 113: 294 - 307.
  21. Obeng, A. S. Rickard, H. Ndi, O. Sexton, M. Barton, M. D. “Antibiotic resistance and phylogenetic typing in commensal Escherichia coli from intensively farmed and free-range poultry” Veterinary Microbiology, 2012, 154: 305 - 315.
  22. Duedu, K. O. Ayeh-Kumi, P.F., Nti, S.A., Addo-Osafo, K, Akua Obeng, Mortu, S., Manu, C.S., Godwin Kwakye-Nuako, Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B. Asmah, R. H. Obeng-Nkrumah, N. “Intestinal parasitosis among pregnant women in Accra, Ghana” Ghana Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2009, 4: 9 - 14.
  23. Akua Serwaah Obeng, Kwakye-Nyako Godwin, Asmah R. Harry, Ayeh-Kumi F. Patrick. “Pathogenic parasitic pathogens associated with fresh vegetables consumed in Accra” Ghana Journal of Allied Health Sciences (2007), Vol 1, Pg. 11 - 15.