Yale University is collaborating with the Ghana Health Service, the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to create a stronger research base in tropical diseases, build capacity and break barriers in medicine.
The concept, captured in a three-part Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is to establish an exchange programme between the two institutions of the University of Ghana as well as help establish sustainable bills with the GHS.
The MoU was originally signed five years ago and has been renewed for another five -year term. It was signed by the Director of the Ghana Health Service, Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and President of Yale University at separate signing ceremonies.
Director of GHS Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare said the MoU’s amendment will build stronger ties between the two institutions, and that Yale University was instrumental in Ghana’s mental health law draft and is currently helping with the maternal mortality issues and HIV-related diseases.
“This MoU, has been long-standing, and as the attention of Yale is on Africa it has been very instrumental in our mental health law. We want to improve our health system through the exchange programme, which allows faculty, health professionals and students to go and learn at Yale and come back with knowledge that will help break barriers in research,” he said.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu, said the MoU is a step in the right direction as the university has great minds conducting research in various science disciplines, and that this offers them an opportunity to improve their research base using advanced technology.
“This MoU is in three parts and gives us the opportunity to exchange students as well as faculty for a year. Sometimes when you’re conducting research you get stuck in terms of technology, so our researchers are going to Yale to use advanced technological methods to help solve problems. Also, the MU includes partnering to write proposals for funding,” he said.
The President of Yale University, Prof. Peter Salovey, explained that what is termed the ‘Africa initiatives’ at Yale University is a bid to build stronger ties with African countries and learn from those countries, as well as having students from those countries come and help tell the African story at Yale.
