The Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science in collaboration with Target Malaria Ghana, a non-profit research consortium, has commissioned an Insectary and a Laboratory. The ultra-modern edifice located on UG campus will be dedicated to the study of the ecological effects of mosquitoes on the environment, as well as the development of a novel genetic technology for vector control of Anopheles mosquitoes, in order to contribute to the eradication of Malaria.
Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Prof. Francis Ewusie Nunoo, speaking at the event
In his address, Dr. Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Principal Investigator for Target Malaria Ghana, thanked the University of Ghana and past heads of department, for their contributions to the successful establishment of the Laboratory and hoped that their future research would be fruitful.
Dr. Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Principal Investigator for Target Malaria Ghana
“The completion of this facility would not have been possible without the huge support I received from my current Head of Department, Professor Francis Gbogbo and past heads including Prof. Langbong Bimi and Prof. Erasmus Henaku Owusu. Our past and present Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Research, Innovation and Development have also been immensely helpful. Professor Felix Ankomah Asante has been very supportive and on occasions, took time off his busy schedule to visit the site. I am also particularly grateful to the staff of ORID, Procurement Office and PDMSD who have been supportive of the work we do. In no mean way, there are a host of others who contributed in diverse ways to ensure that the project was completed. To you all, I say a very big thank you”. Dr. Aboagye-Antwi noted.
Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, a representative of the Health Ministry, unveiling the plaque
Dr. Kezia Malm, Programme Manager for National Malaria Elimination in Ghana, revealed that malaria deaths have decreased but still account for a significant fraction of OPD activities in Ghana. She expressed her delight at the establishment of the insectary, which will aid the National Malaria Program's efforts to eradicate the disease.
“Malaria accounted for over 30% of our outpatient attendance last year. We recorded 5 million confirmed cases of malaria which resulted in about 400,000 people being admitted; so indeed it is a disease of public health concern and it is very refreshing that we are getting more researchers with interest in the fight against Malaria”. Dr. Malm expressed.
Dr. Kezia Malm, Programme Manager for National Malaria Elimination in Ghana
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Health, Honorable Tina Naa Ayeley Mensah, was the Ministry of Health's Chief Programme Officer, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, who congratulated the University and Target Malaria on the establishment of the Laboratory. He stated that it will complement the government's efforts in the fight against malaria, and pledged the Ministry's support for the research project.
“I congratulate you on the establishment of the newly built insectary and laboratory facility. I laud leadership of the University and faculty for taking such a great initiative which will in the long run augment government’s efforts in the fight against malaria and reduce the infrastructure deficit in the country” Dr. Awinibuno expressed.
The Insectary and Laboratory includes a freezer room, 3 insectaries to store the insects, an imaging Lab and a processing lab.
A photo showing the set up in the Laboratory
Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium, including 200 team members from 9 institutions from 6 countries in Africa, Europe and the United States, with Scientists who specialize in molecular biology, medical entomology, population biology, protein engineering, and social scientists.
Participants at the event were taken on a tour of the Laboratory
Also present at the event were the Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Professor Francis Ewusie Nunoo; Medical Entomologist in the Parasitology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Dr. Samuel Dadzie; former head of department of the Animal Biology and Conservation Science, Prof. Langbong Bimi and some members from the UG community.
