The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) of the University of Ghana on Monday 25th November, 2018 launched its 40th Anniversary. The event which was held under the theme Noguchi @40: Sustaining Global Health Gains through Partnerships in Biomedical Research was used to outline their yearlong celebration activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Innovation and Development, the Chairman for the launch and Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi congratulated the Institute on their anniversary and applauded the Director and staff on their status as a leading global institution. Prof. Ayeh-Kumi emphasized the importance of the history of the Institute and called on members to continue the good works that have made the Institute a “jewel” to the University and Africa as a whole. He also recounted how the Institute has impacted health care delivery and policies in the country and was confident that in line with the theme, the Institute will continue to impact the health sector.
Prof. Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi, Provost, College of Health Sciences
Prof. Ayeh-Kumi further assured the Institute of the continued support towards its operations, adding that Noguchi is a gift that needs to be cherished. He commended the people of Japan and the Government of Ghana for their immense contribution towards the success of the Institute.
Prof. Ayeh-Kumi welcomed more partnerships alongside a deepening of the existing relationship with existing partners, especially that of the Japanese Government. He further charged the Institute to break new grounds to help improve the health sector.
In brief remarks, H.E. Tsutomu Himeno, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana assured the institute of the Japanese government’s continual support for the safety and control of the newly built ultra-modern advancement centre in the Institute. He added that processes have started to ensure more collaboration in the area of research between the Japanese people and that of Ghana. He was optimistic that by the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Institute, the Institute would have found a lasting cure for yellow fever.
In his address, Prof. Abraham Kwabena Anang, Director of (NMIMR) gave a brief history of the Institute and paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers as well as retired staff for their commitment and dedication to the advancement of the Institute. “The 40th Anniversary is a landmark occasion that we have to acknowledge our past, and re-define the future.” Prof. Anang said. He stated that the Institute will use the celebrations to plan and mobilize the human and material resources to create new opportunities such as the NMIMR and Partners Initiative for the elimination of yellow fever and the Hideyo Noguchi Endowment Fund. He further noted that, the Institute as part of its celebrations will develop new ideas in the biomedical research to achieve global health security.
The Director later launched the NMIMR and Partners Initiative for Yellow fever elimination towards eradication. The programme, he noted, was to begin the processes for the special initiative of fulfilling Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s dream of a world free of Yellow fever.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. George Armah, a long serving staff of the Institute, recounted the development of the Institute since its establishment. He indicated that the mission statement of the Institute which is geared towards “Improving the health and wellbeing of Ghanaians and mankind through focused and relevant quality biomedical research, human resource development and support of national public health activities” was in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and Global Action Plan goals.
Prof. Armah point out that improving health care through research does not occur in isolation. It is therefore crucial, he argued, to leverage on existing research platforms and institutional support to build and expand the current partnerships that will go beyond present scientific topics and projects. He emphasized that partnerships will foster and develop capacity building and provide opportunities in an enabling environment for growth and development.
Additionally, Prof. George Armah appealed to the University to support young researchers who gain admission into post-graduate programmes to acquire knowledge beneficial to the growth of the Institute. He hinted that, the Institute needs high-quality people, who can be trained to become professionals contributing towards the advancement of society whilst addressing local and global needs.
H. E. Parker-Allotey, a former Ambassador of Ghana to Japan was proud of the Institute’s accomplishments. He was hopeful that the Institute would continue to make excellent strides in its research to promote the health of individuals.
As part of the launch, the inaugural edition of the Noguchi Newsletter was outdoored. The launch was followed by an open day to afford members of the general public the opportunity to tour the research facilities, interact with staff and acquaint themselves with the institute and its relevance to the nation.
Press Statement
Noguchi Memorial Institute For Medical Research Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Year Long Activities
November, 2018-November 2019
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), a constituent of College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana and Ghana’s leading biomedical research institute, will be 40 years in November 2019. The NMIMR will therefore launch a year-long celebration of its achievements on 26th November 2018 at the PAGODA within the institute’s main research building on the University of Ghana campus at 9:00am. The theme for the 40th anniversary is Noguchi @ 40: “Sustaining Global Health Gains through Partnerships in Biomedical Research”. The theme is in line with the Institute’s and the University of Ghana’s aim of becoming a world-class research institution through building and maintaining strong partnerships with all stakeholders and beneficiaries including the general public. The detailed programme for the year-long celebrations, which culminates in November 2019, will be communicated to all at the launch.
This is a public event and all are cordially invited to attend.
After the launch, there will also be an open day for members of the general public to see the research facilities, to interact with NMIMR staff and get to know more about work that is done at the Institute and its relevance to the health of the nation.
All media houses and organizations who would like to attend and cover the event should kindly contact Mrs. Gloria Oben-Benefo, Institute’s Public Relations Officer, (gobeng-benefo@noguchi.ug.edu.gh) directly to book interviews and discussions with key personalities and invited guests. All are also encouraged to use the hashtag “Noguchi@40” (#Noguchi@40) on all social media platforms including Facebook and twitter to join the general discussions throughout the year.
Kindly contact the following persons of the public engagement team for further enquiries and clarifications.
