From left: Prof. Helen Lauer, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare and Dr. Yaa Difie Osei
The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of the University of Ghana has marked its 50th anniversary, which was under the theme, “Understanding Health and Diseases in Ghana and beyond through Advanced Molecular Technologies”.
Delivering the welcome address, at the opening of the anniversary celebrations, the Head of Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare gave a brief history of the Department, which until 1970 was part of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science.
Dr. Awandare indicated that the Department is leader in the Biological Sciences, adding that due to it’s immerse growth over the years, it has produced and continues to produce quality products like the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy who has been a great inspiration to most females in the sciences. He announced that, the Department has been awarded $8 million for 4 years by the World Bank, to develop their laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities which would be opened to the West African sub region.
A dinner dance and awards night was also organized as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations where staff was awarded for various contributions towards the development of the department. Some of the awardees include Prof. Stephen Asante, first head of the department, Prof. Kwabena Konadu Oduro, Prof. Nyarko, the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, Dr. Mrs. Yaa Dufie Osei and Mr. Francis Okyere. Others were Rev. Dr. WSK Gborwonyo, Prof. Sammy Sackey, Dr. Agyimeni, Prof. Naa Adamafio, and Prof. Lord Okine. Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey acknowledged the challenges facing the department and
Some staff of the department receiving their awards from Prof Aryeetey. With him is Dr. Gordon Awandare, Head of Department.
pledged a support of GH₵50, 000.00. He noted that it is the responsibility of the University to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of the students are met by providing them with opportunities and facilities to learn.
Earlier, Dr. Awandare acknowledged the efforts of his colleagues on the anniversary planning committee. He singled out Dr. Asare Yeboah and Dr. Abidat Lawal for their various roles in ensuring that the anniversary celebrations were organized. He
The anniversary celebrations were crowned with a job fair for students. Dr. Abidat Lawal, a Lecturer in the Department and also a member of the organizing committee said the purpose of the job fair was to equip the students with the skills beyond what is taught in the lecture halls.
Students at the job fair