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Noguchi poised to become centre of excellence in research, diagnosis, others
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), says it is poised to become a centre of excellence in research, diagnosis, prevention and control of diseases.
It has therefore appealed to the government to support its activities by providing the needed funding regularly.
“The institute is capable of being a scientific centre of choice, but this will require immense support in terms of capacity building and infrastructure development from government,” Dr James Aboagye, a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the centre said.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times, Dr Aboagye said government must invest in research and development in general by helping to build the capacity and improve infrastructure.
According to him, most research funding came from external donors and this did not augur well in the country which wanted to develop.
“The government should invest research and development by helping to build infrastructure and capacity and also help us to meet up with the current need, so that we can do research pertaining to us,” he said.
“It would be easier if the funding was from our government for us to apply for, to be able to enhance our research,” Dr Aboagye added.
Dr Aboagye explained that most developed countries focused on research and development (R & D) to reach where they are now.
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research was established in 1979 in honour of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, who researched into yellow fever in Ghana and died from the disease in the country in 1928.
Since then, the Institute has been conducting research into communicable and non-communicable diseases, training biomedical researchers and providing laboratory diagnostics, monitoring and surveillance services in support of national public health.
However, the Institute said it is ready to position itself as the preferred research centre with government assistance.
BY: FRANCIS NTOW
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
