Capacity Building Key to Sustainable Health Research Ecosystem in Ghana and Africa, Says Prof. Awandare at TDR 50th Anniversary

Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Students Affairs (ASA), Prof. Gordon A. Awandare, has acknowledged the critical role of capacity building in efforts to promote public health and disease control, prevention and elimination in Africa.

He made this known at a recent Joint Coordinating Board meeting at the World Health Organisation Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). TDR is a global programme of scientific collaboration co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO, which was targeted at facilitating, supporting and influencing efforts to combat diseases of poverty.

Delivering a presentation on the topic, “Building a Sustainable Health Research Ecosystem in Ghana and Across Africa,” which chronicled several projects focused on health research in Ghana and Africa, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), who doubles as the Founding Director of the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), highlighted the necessity of creating sustainable research ecosystems for both physical and intellectual transformation.

Touching on the vision for Africa in the areas of science, technology and innovation, Prof. Awandare emphasised that “universities are uniquely positioned to build sustainable research capacity by integrating education, research and innovation in collaboration with industry.” He pointed out that investment in research across Africa remains significantly low, at less than 0.5% of GDP.

Prof. Awandare expressed worry that this underinvestment has led to a substantial brain drain, with many of Africa's intellectuals leaving the continent due to poor research ecosystems and inadequate remuneration.

“Research income is a major source of funds for universities globally. African universities need to be well-positioned to compete for funding. Establishing a sustainable research ecosystem is essential for global competitiveness,” he stated.

Prof. Awandare noted that the University of Ghana has made significant strides in its quest to become a research-intensive university, establishing the Office of Research, Innovation and Development in 2010 to interface with government and industry partners and promote centres of excellence. This includes three World Bank centres; the West African Genetic Medicine Centre, the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement.

Prof. Awandare shed light on the transformative impact of the TDR on research capacity building. He shared his personal journey from being a beneficiary of TDR programmes to an implementer of research capacity building initiatives.

“I started my research journey through a TDR fellowship, which led to a PhD opportunity supported by TDR and the NIH/Fogarty International Centre. Upon returning home, I established the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana,” he articulated.

He also reported on the success of WACCBIP, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Founding Director revealed that the Centre has, since its founding in 2014, received $53 million in funding from 15 agencies.

This support has enabled the centre to create a world-class research environment, develop leadership and reduce brain drain. The Centre has awarded 400 fellowships, out of which 151 beneficiaries are women.

“WACCBIP has significantly contributed to reducing the brain drain and promoting brain repatriation, creating a robust research environment in Ghana,” Prof. Awandare announced.

Commenting on the need for strengthening public health through implementation research, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA) stated that the University of Ghana School of Public Health (UGSPH) has emerged as a leading implementation research institution in Africa.

He disclosed that with support from TDR, the School of Public Health has developed implementation research curricula, faculty training and career development programmes at sub-regional, regional and global levels.

“As one of seven regional training centers in the WHO African Region, UGSPH has trained over 25,000 individuals globally through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in implementation research,” he added.

The impact of the School of Public Health, he asserted, extends to practical health interventions in Ghana with recent research focused on addressing RTS,S/ASO1E vaccine defaults, barriers to TB treatment adherence and factors affecting patients on antiretroviral therapy.

According to him, the TDR Postgraduate Training Scheme at the School of Public Health has produced 67 implementation research scholars from 22 countries since 2016, enhancing cross-cultural experiences and networking to combat diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, yaws, schistosomiasis and helminthiasis.

Prof. Awandare acknowledged the support of TDR, the World Bank and the Wellcome Trust in funding and equitably partnering with the University of Ghana. He praised the efforts of the ARTC team at School Public Health in effectively running these programmes.

With the University of Ghana continuing to build and sustain a culture of implementation research training, Prof. Awandare believes that the University will remain a critical player in addressing public health challenges and promoting sustainable health research ecosystems across Africa.

A statement released by TDR, presently led by Director Dr. John Reeder, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, outlined its dual mission over five decades, which has been building research capacity in countries burdened by infectious diseases, especially among disadvantaged populations and prioritising and funding research to tackle these diseases.

In its newly unveiled 2024-2029 Strategy, TDR is seeking to respond to evolving global health challenges with a focus on four key areas impacting infectious diseases of poverty, using a One Health approach.

This strategic shift entails intensified research collaboration with partners like the University of Ghana School of Public Health and the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, among others, to address epidemics and outbreaks, disease control and elimination, health impacts of climate change and resistance to treatment and control measures.

The UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank and WHO co-sponsored TDR reaffirmed its commitment, alongside funders, partners, grant recipients and stakeholders at the anniversary celebration, to support global efforts in combating diseases of poverty within today's dynamic health landscape.