The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has underscored the need for policy makers and stakeholders in the country to invest in clinical research as a proactive measure to tackle future pandemics.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Otumfuo observed that the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s economy and by extension its fragile health system especially in the area of clinical research.
“Health research centers have become critical tools for health care interventions in many nations across the world. For instance, when COVID-19 broke out in Ghana, the country’s covid-19 pandemic response was largely centred on medical research centres; the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.”
He wants the government to equip research centers in the country and address the research capacity gaps in order to prepare the country for any looming health crisis.
“It is time for the country to invest in Clinical research which will go a long way to adequately prepare the country ahead of epidemics.”
“If we took a very serious view of health, even in this precarious economic situation, I still believe we can cut corners somewhere and invest in the health delivery system. Some of our projects are mere fantasy projects; instead of looking at what is more relevant for us.”
The Asantehene who lauded the institution for its fight against the pandemic donated GHC1 million to support its research works. He said the amount is the contribution of KNUST and the Asante Kingdom towards clinical research. “In my own humble way, my University and Asanteman contribute GHC1 million”.
About KCCR
The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research is an international platform for biomedical research, KCCR’s modus operandi is based on the close collaboration between KNUST School of Medical Sciences (SMS), the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Ghana and the Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), Hamburg, Germany.
It was established on 28th October 1997, following the signing of a State agreement between the Republic of Ghana and the Free and Hanseatic State of Hamburg, Germany.
The President of Ghana at the time, Jerry John Rawlings and the chancellor of KNUST at the time, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the Asantehene, provided approval for its establishment.
The centre is open to all scientists of other institutions, the only prerequisite is that the respective project includes a Ghanaian partner.
The main objective of the centre is to develop a series of world standard research programs through the acquisition of research grants. Within this context, the development of training facilities and educational programs for Ghanaian postgraduates and technical staff is a priority.
As a result of its continued effort in pursuit of this objective, KCCR was designated as an African Network for Diagnosis and Drug Discovery Innovation (ANDi) centre of excellence for applied biomedical research in 2011.
This is in addition to the centre’s recognition as a WHO reference laboratory for Buruli Ulcer diagnosis. KCCR’s objective is to bring both the scientists and their ideas in a network and platform to conduct research in tropical diseases.
Irene Pomaa Kumi
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