NMIMR Launches COVID-19 Symposium Series

Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR)

Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has announced the Institute’s intention of sharing findings from the COVID-19 data to inform the public of the past, present and future outloook of the pandemic in Ghana and the global world. She made these remarks at the launch of the NMIMR COVID -19 SYMPOSIUM SERIES held under the theme, ‘Covid-19 in Ghana: The Noguchi Story.’

Prof. Yeboah-Manu also commended staff of the Institute for their selfless dedication to the fight against the pandemic, particularly at the peak of the transmissions. She expressed her anticipation for deliberations from the symposium to charter a new cause for the fight against Covid-19.

In brief remarks, the Chair of the University Council and Chair, Covid-19 Trust Fund, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd.), mentioned government’s support to institutions through the Trust Fund to bring the pandemic under full control in Ghana. “The Trust Fund which was established as part of Government’s measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic has become quite a proud partner of the Institute through the provision of various support packages, both in cash and in kind’, she said.

Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd.) stated: ‘The Institute has many stories to tell as well as various experiences to share and such stories and experiences will impact positively on the overall efforts and strategies by the state towards the combat of the pandemic and more importantly, provide data for future scientific research on the pandemic and on pandemics of this nature for professionals in the scientific community and academia in general.’

Chair of the University Council and Chair, Covid-19 Trust Fund, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd.)

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, who chaired the symposium, pledged the support of the University’s Management to enable NMIMR to continue functioning as the leading global biomedical research institute in Ghana and among the best in the world. By this, Prof. Amfo called on all stakeholders for increased collaboration towards achieving the vision and mission of NMIMR.

The Vice-Chancellor lauded the Institute’s technical capacity in biomedical research which justifies its enviable place as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. Prof. Amfo congratulated the NMIMR not only on contributing its quota to the management of the pandemic but also on the management of the yellow fever epidemic in Northern Ghana.

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana

The Guest of Honour, Hon. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Minister for Information, in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, also commended the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for their leadership and research efforts. He promised the continued support of Government to cooperate and partner with NMIMR to achieve greater feats in Ghana’s medical sector. He ended with a call on Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to continue to conduct research into the DNA and various mutations of the virus.

Deputy Minister for Information, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar

The Japanese Embassy and the World Health Organisation Country representatives delivered goodwill messages. There were presentations on Covid-19 Control in Ghana: Noguchi’s contribution to Diagnosis, Covid-19 Pandemic in Ghana: The Race for Survival and Covid-19-Specific Antibody responses in Vaccinated Adults by Dr. John Kofi Odoom, Dr. Bright Adu and Dr. Frederica Dedo Partey respectively.

Dr. Bright Adu and Dr. Frederica Dedo Partey

Dr. Irene Ayi, Senior Research Fellow, NMIMR, moved the vote of thanks after a vibrant question and answer session.

Some of the dignitaries present at this ceremony included Prof. Gordon A. Awandare, Director, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens and Dr. Mark Frempong, Director, University Health Services. The Launch was also well attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, staff of NMIMR, representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Ghana), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ghana Association of Bankers, the media fraternity and members of the University community.