The Ghana Science Association (GSA) Kumasi Branch in collaboration with the College of Science (CoS), the College of Health Sciences (CoHS), and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has hosted a two-day webinar to commemorate its 10th Annual Research Seminar and Poster Presentation at the College of Science Board room, Ibis Tek (KNUST).
The Webinar which was chaired by Professor Leonard K. Amekudzi, Provost of CoS was held virtually under the themed ‘COVID-19 Pandemic: Scientific Updates and the Way Forward’, had about Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) participants joining from various locations.
In a welcome address by the local organizing committee’s Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Augustina Angelina Sylverken of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, she mentioned that this year’s theme was applicable to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic since it has affected every fabric of life.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo indicated that COVID-19 has presented some challenges as well as opportunities to scientists. He charged scientists to look beyond the challenges and seize the opportunity to answer relevant research questions that are related to the pandemic.
Professor Owusu-Dabo, further encouraged participants and scientists to look at various concepts in improving data on population’s response to COVID-19 vaccines.
The GSA Kumasi Branch President, Dr. Jacob Kwaku Agbenorhevi, in his remarks said that the Association would use the period of the Pandemic to create an avenue for scientists to put out research findings that would contribute to the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic.
Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, a Fellow of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), speaking on the use of ‘‘Vaccines: Pharmaceutical and non-Pharmaceutical measures against COVID-19’’, revealed that in Chile, researchers, through the support of the government have been able to develop their own vaccines and have 88 percent in stock for their citizenry. He therefore urged the Government of Ghana to learn from such gesture whiles considering what pertains in our country.
According to Dr. Aseidu, there is the need for Ghana Health Services (GHS) to build a database on how the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccines reacted with antibodies and the immune responses to persons who have received their first jabs. ‘‘This would contribute to Scientific Research’’, he added.
The Economic Advisor to the Vice-President of Ghana Dr. Gideon Boako in a presentation on the socio-economic responses to fighting the Covid-19 virus, mentioned that the Government in the fight against COVID-19 has played key roles; the implementation of various socio-economic interventions which included free water and food, and subsidised electricity bills throughout a significant part of the year 2020.
During the workshop, participants were enlightened on; the roles of herbal medicine in the fight against COVID-19, the contributions of engineering and technological innovations, the role of agriculture, food and nutrition security in the era of COVID-19 and the socioeconomic responses on the path of government in the fight against COVID-19.
Other facilitators who spoke on various topics included Professor Mark Adom- Asamoah, Provost of the College of Engineering, KNUST, Professor Mohammed Mutocheluh, from the Department of Clinical Microbiology, KNUST, Professor Victoria Attoh-Kotoku of the Department of Animal Science and Dr. Laud Anthony W. Basing of the Department of Medical Diagnostics, KNUST and Incas Diagnostic.
Awards were presented to individuals who have contributed to the growth of the Ghana Science Association (GSA). The overall Best Department with the highest number of abstracts for the GSA 2021 Webinar was Department of Food Science & Technology-KNUST.
The overall author with the highest number of abstracts for the GSA 2021 Webinar went to Dr. Lawrence S. Borquaye, Department of Chemistry, KNUST.
The overall best Oral Presenter for the GSA 2021 was Mr. Patrick Ofori whiles the overall best Poster Presenter was Mr. Stephen Opoku Afriyie, both from Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, KNUST.
Oral and poster presentations on relevant research areas by student scientists were displayed.
The 10th GSA seminar was sponsored by Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN), Goil, Taabea, Nasbe, Multimedia Group and Media General.