The Department of Optometry and Visual Science of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) for collaboration between the two Institutions.

VAO is an international charity organisation dedicated to expanding access to eye-care services in developing countries by establishing vision centres, training health-care workers and utilising the expertise of volunteers to undertake outreach programmes.

In her introductory remarks, Dr. Angela O. Amedo, Head, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, said her department had been in a warm and fruitful relationship with VAO for some time. She said it was always good to formalise such relationships to control and direct the mutual activities of the institutions.

Dr. Amedo stated that VAO had been providing the Department of Optometry and Visual Science with volunteers who help in demonstration and practical work. They also send volunteers to assist the various eye clinics in the country. She said currently, there were about eight (8) volunteers at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on an outreach programme. She further indicated that there were ongoing talks with VAO to help reopen Teaching Clinics where students would have hands-on experience and practice with patients. She also stated that faculty development was another key area that the MoU would strengthen.

Kath Stott, Programmes Director, VAO-UK, Ghana, said VAO found it rewarding to help in the provision of quality eye-care services in Africa and the development of human resource in this area. She said they were delighted to be working with KNUST, an Institution which has a reputation in the Medical Sciences. She hoped the MoU would serve as a foundation for better collaboration between KNUST and VAO.

Imran Khan, the International Programmes Director, VAO-UK said KNUST had the potential of becoming the centre for the development of the needed expertise in eye-care for the whole country and even for the West African Sub-region due to the infrastructure available. He also reiterated VAO’s interest in supporting the public sector in eye-care training.

Professor W. O. Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, expressed appreciation to VAO for its support to KNUST in the past. He said although the MoU served as a guiding principle for activities between the two Institutions, the Department of Optometry and Visual Science and VAO should strive to dream higher than the principles enshrined in the agreement. He requested VAO to make available equipment for purchase by graduates from the school who would want to practice independently. Professor Ellis presented KNUST souvenirs to Mr. Khan and Madam Stott.

Also present at the event were Professor K.  Obiri Danso, Dean, International Programmes Office, Dr. D. B. Kumah, Dr. Mohammed A. Kabir, Dr. T. M. Pascal and Dr. Clement Afari all lecturers in the Department of Optometry and Visual Science.