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Department Of Biochemistry Marks 50th Anniversary

14 Apr, 2014by itse-nsp

From left: Prof. Helen Lauer, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare and Dr. Yaa Difie Osei

The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of the University of Ghana has marked its 50th anniversary, which was under the theme, “Understanding Health and Diseases in Ghana and beyond through Advanced Molecular Technologies”. 

Delivering the welcome address, at the opening of the anniversary celebrations, the Head of Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare gave a brief history of the Department, which until 1970 was part of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. 

Dr. Awandare indicated that the Department is leader in the Biological Sciences, adding that due to it’s immerse growth over the years, it has produced and continues to produce quality products like the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy who has been a great inspiration to most females in the sciences. He announced that, the Department has been awarded $8 million for 4 years by the World Bank, to develop their laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities which would be opened to the West African sub region.

 

 

An inter-faculty event was organized as part of the celebrations. The event which was on the theme, ‘What Does Science and Development Mean to You’ was aimed at engaging various departments in the University on their understanding of Science and Development from their various points of view. Prof. Helen Lauer, former head of the Department of Philosophy and Classics, Dr. Evans Aggrey Darko, from the Political Science Department, Dr. Jonathan Adjimani and Mr. Azaare form the University of Ghana Business School gave insights on the relationship between Science and Development, and their various subject areas. Two students from the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School and Wesley Grammar Senior High School also gave their perspectives on the topic.
Students from the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School and Wesley Grammar Senior High School at the event
 
Moderator for the event, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo from the School of Communication Studies emphasized the need to produce more Science-based programmes in the mass media. She also advocated for increased training for Journalists in Science reporting. 

A dinner dance and awards night was also organized as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations where staff was awarded for various contributions towards the development of the department. Some of the awardees include Prof. Stephen Asante, first head of the department, Prof. Kwabena Konadu Oduro, Prof. Nyarko, the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, Dr. Mrs. Yaa Dufie Osei and Mr. Francis Okyere. Others were Rev. Dr. WSK Gborwonyo, Prof. Sammy Sackey, Dr. Agyimeni, Prof. Naa Adamafio, and Prof. Lord Okine. Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey acknowledged the challenges facing the department and

Some staff of the department receiving their awards from Prof Aryeetey. With him is Dr. Gordon Awandare, Head of Department.

pledged a support of GH₵50, 000.00. He noted that it is the responsibility of the University to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of the students are met by providing them with opportunities and facilities to learn. 

Earlier, Dr. Awandare acknowledged the efforts of his colleagues on the anniversary planning committee. He singled out Dr. Asare Yeboah and Dr. Abidat Lawal for their various roles in ensuring that the anniversary celebrations were organized. He
The anniversary celebrations were crowned with a job fair for students. Dr. Abidat Lawal, a Lecturer in the Department and also a member of the organizing committee said the purpose of the job fair was to equip the students with the skills beyond what is taught in the lecture halls. 

Students at the job fair