Professor Kwadwo Ansah Koram Delivers Inaugural Lecture

30 May, 2016by skdagudetse

Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram

Professor Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) at the University of Ghana, has delivered his inaugural lecture on the topic: “Malaria Elimination in Ghana: Reality or Pipe Dream”. The Inaugural Lecture, the seventh for the second semester of the 2015/16 academic year was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey.

Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram earlier recounted his experiences during school years and his professional career as a medical officer. He touched on a number of research works he has undertaken as an epidemiologist, notably his research into Cerebral Meningitis, Measles, Buruli Ulcer, Tuberculosis, and predominantly on Malaria.

The lecture advocated a multidisciplinary approach to scale up the application of intervention tools to markedly reduce the disease burden of malaria in Ghana and across the continent. It elaborated on the existence of the malaria parasite, which for decades has been studied in China, Europe and India, while describing its life-cycle and consequent health repercussions on people.

Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram in his presentation noted that the prevalence of malaria cases in Ghana are recorded during and after the rainy seasons. He shared perspectives on public health, and cited poor sanitation and indiscriminate waste disposal as major causes of Malaria. Regarding this, he stressed on personal hygiene as a key decider in controlling the spread of preventable diseases. He noted that malaria is a very complex disease with a complicated life cycle involving both asexual and sexual reproduction in two organisms, humans and mosquitoes. He made references to five malaria-causing species namely, P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi, adding that, they have co-evolved with humans and are responsible for major inherited red cell abnormalities such as haemoglobin S, thalassemia, ovalocytosis amongst others.

He maintained that the resolve to eliminate malaria, though not completely achieved, was still possible especially through reliance on strategic public health interventions, citing examples such as the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and the effective use of Artemisinin combination therapy (ACTs). He appreciated the need for “testing” before “treatment”, and noted instances where fever cases was treated as malaria cases, a situation he indicated can result serious health complications.

Prof. Koram called for a robust integration within the sub-region where resources in terms of capital and infrastructure as well as health experts are pooled together to tackle the menace of malaria once and for all. This strong collaboration he believed, would help provide accurate data or statistics, as well as medical supplies to geographical zones beset with malaria.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice- Chancellor

In his remarks as Chairman, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ernest Aryeetey noted the significance of adopting a multifaceted approach in tackling the disease burden of malaria across the continent. He appreciated the works of Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram on malaria, and noted that his research has greatly influenced policy. He acknowledged the University’s dedication to lead the campaign on malaria elimination, mentioning in particular, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for malaria studies. Prof. Aryeetey also called on government to provide the necessary funding for researchers looking into finding a vaccine to completely eliminate malaria. He finally entreated the general public to consider hygiene as a critical factor in the control and subsequent elimination of the disease.

Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, Registrar

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Registrar of the University, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia emphasized on the significance of inaugural lectures, which form an essential component of the University’s programmes for the academic year. She noted that every academic who achieves the highest rank in his or her career in the University of Ghana, is expected to deliver an inaugural lecture. This she noted, offers the University an opportunity to recognize and showcase the academic achievements of its staff, as well as enable the Professor to celebrate an important personal milestone with family and friends, and share with colleagues within and outside the College about their research works.

The Lecture was attended by Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Directors, and members of the University community. Also present were traditional leaders, as well as colleagues, students, family members and friends of the lecturer, and the general public.

There were a number of presentations made to Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram to congratulate him.

Prof. Koram being assisted by his wife and the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Yao Tettey to cut a ribbon to open the exhibition of his scholarly works. Behind them are Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Pro-VC’s Prof. John Gyapong and Prof. Kwame Offei as well as University Librarian, Prof. E.E. Badu.

Prof. Koram conducting officials around his exhibited works

Prior to Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram’s inaugural lecture, a week-long exhibition of his works was held at the Balme Library. The exhibition centered on his some of his research areas on the topics; Therapeutic Efficacy of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Two Ecological Zones in Ghana after Eight years of Deployment; Antimalarial Prescribing Practices: A Challenge to Malaria Control in Ghana; Malaria Transmission Dynamics at a Site in Northern Ghana Proposed for Testing Malaria Vaccines; Risk Factors for Buruli Ulcer in Ghana – A Case Control Study in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar and Akuapem South Districts of the Eastern Region; Genotype Diversity and Drug Susceptibility Patterns among M. tuberculosis Complex Isolates from South-Western Ghana; Preparing for Ebola Virus Disease in West African Countries not yet Affected: Perspectives from Ghanaian Health Professionals; among several other publications.

Please click here to access details on the remaining two inaugural lectures lined up for the 2015/2016 academic year.