The University of Ghana has officially inaugurated the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), marking a significant milestone in genetic research and education in Africa.
Located between the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the University of Ghana Medical Centre, WAGMC is part of the World Bank-supported African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Impact initiative.
As such, established in response to the urgent need for specialised research in genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and other common genetic conditions in Africa.
The state-of-the-art facility, completed in May 2024, spans 2,800 square meters and houses advanced laboratories, smart classrooms, a 200-seater auditorium, and administrative offices, all equipped with cutting-edge technology.
The US$1.5 million facility will support both academic and research activities, advancing the Centre’s goal of becoming a global leader in genomics training and research.
WAGMC is already making notable contributions to the region as developed and offers the first and only MSc Genetic Counselling programme in Sub-Saharan Africa since 2021.
The Centre has also developed MPhil and PhD programmes in Medical Molecular Genetics, which have been reviewed and approved at the university level and currently undergoing accreditation at the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
WAGMC’s operations cover three core areas: development of postgraduate programmes, research in genetics and community engagement.
The Centre’s research portfolio includes the SickleGenAfrica Network, a groundbreaking global study on sickle cell disease, and the Ghana-SPARCO project, a collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh.
In her address, University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo commended the Centre’s achievements, emphasising its alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
She also applauded the World Bank and other partners for their support, stressing that WAGMC will continue to drive impactful research and innovation in genomics, ultimately benefiting not just Ghana but the entire African continent.
“The completion of this remarkable facility reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, solving complex health challenges, and shaping the future of genomics education and research in Africa.
This Centre represents a bold step forward in our pursuit of excellence, and we are proud to contribute to the global scientific community with groundbreaking work that will impact generations to come…Together, let us make WAGMC not only a hub of academic excellence but also a beacon of hope, innovation, and positive change for the world,” she stressed.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, commended the University of Ghana for its leadership in the establishment of the WAGMC, noting its broader implications for the country’s educational and healthcare systems.
He further urged the Centre to ensure its impact reaches beyond the academic elite, calling for inclusive outreach programmes.
“I do not want to see this as a centre where only those who are elites will benefit from so let us do special outreach so that we can get the children to come here and become great geneticists…When we do outreach to these communities, we are showing them the way and opening their mind to the possibilities that the future holds,” he stated.
Prof. Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, Director of WAGMC, expressed his vision for the Centre as a key driver of transformative work globally.
He highlighted that the Centre is not only a research facility but also a hub for fostering knowledge that bridges scientific inquiry with real-world applications to improve health outcomes in Ghana and beyond.
