Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng having a discussion with officials present
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, received the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng to the University of Ghana’s Department of Chemistry. The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound gratitude to the Minister for the visit.
The Minister explained that the purpose of his visit was to observe first-hand the progress of research work in the Department and how government can support the manufacturing of pharmaceutical and other products to drive the growth of science and technology in Ghana. He challenged the Department of Chemistry to rise to the occasion and assume its position as the driving force of industrialization in Ghana. He reiterated the government’s desire to promote the African Light Source and other projects in plastic waste management and vaccine development.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovative and Development, Prof. Felix Asante, indicated that the University has taken notice of Government’s desire to increase productivity through the development of innovative technologies to solve health challenges. He mentioned the development of drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and other diseases which has received immense support from government. Prof. Asante disclosed that, after the successful sequencing of the genome of SARS-CoV-2 by UG scientists, the University of Ghana has taken a step further to ensure that it is better prepared for future pandemics. He said the University has plans, well advanced, to set up dedicated centres to drive the development of these innovative ideas. He solicited the government’s continued support for the University’s effort to ensure that the project succeeds.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovative and Development, Prof. Felix Asante addressing the meeting
The Minister was given a tour round the Department to inspect state-of-the-art equipment such as the Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer, the first of its kind in Sub-Sahara Africa, and the 500 MHz NMR machine, used in the structure elucidation of molecules and quality control of pharmaceutical ingredients. He also visited laboratories where various research activities are conducted. He was impressed with the quality of research and pledged government’s support to the Department and the University in fulfilling the research mandate.
Present at the interaction were Prof. Daniel K. Asiedu, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences; Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, Dean, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Robert Kingsford-Adaboh, former Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and some faculty of the College.
Photograph of the Vice Chancellor, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and other University of Ghana officials
