The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Janssen, a Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical subsidiary. The signing ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the University on Thursday, 31st August, 2023.

The primary objective of this partnership is to address the pressing issue of mental health within the educational context and its impact on student’s academic pursuits.

Mr. Henry Osei-Agyekum, the Country Manager of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and Johnson and Johnson Ghana, expressed their shared vision of supporting KNUST in tackling mental health issues within the educational sphere. He underlined the negative effects of mental health issues on education and as such, affirmed their commitment to partner with KNUST to address such a challenge. Mr. Agyekum extended gratitude to Dr. Osei Kwaku Wusu-Ansah, the Director of the University Hospital, Mr. Ebenezer Baah-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar at the University Hospital and Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Assistant Registrar, International Programmes Office (IPO) for their instrumental roles towards the realisation of the partnership.

Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice-Chancellor, hailed the collaboration as a significant milestone for the University. She emphasised the critical importance of providing students with robust mental health support, particularly given the University's growing students’ population. As a proactive response to the surge in student numbers, she noted that KNUST resolved to assign two counsellors to each College, along with trained peer counsellors and e-counselling services. Professor (Mrs.) Dickson reaffirmed KNUST’s belief in fostering constructive partnerships, to better serve students, staff, and humanity.

The Johnson and Johnson team, led by the Country Manager, included Ikechukwu Ofuani, Director of Government Affairs and Policy for West Africa and Central Africa; Prince Aryee, Market Access Manager for Ghana; Esther Chinebuah, Medical Affairs Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa; Emmanuel Asante Antwi, Key Accounts Manager and Product Manager for Neuroscience in Ghana; and Amos Adu, Key Accounts Specialist for the Northern Sector.