The new building was commissioned by the Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Hon. Prof. Kwesi Yankah, and Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, at a ceremony held on June 22 at the University of Ghana.
The Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah and The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu commissioning the High Performance Computing (HPC) unit, and a Confocal Microscope.
The office complex was constructed with funds from the government of Ghana, through the World Bank's African Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Higher Education Project, with furniture and facilities procured with funds from the Wellcome Trust/African Academy of Sciences DELTAS Africa grant.
Prof. Gordon Awandare (fifth from left) explians the importance of the HPC
The ultra-modern two-storey building has a multi-purpose Conference Hall, a PhD lecture room, a Board Room, and a state-of-the-art Cold Room. There is also office space for the Centre's administrative staff, and workspaces for visiting faculty and WACCBIP fellows. The Center's High Performance Computing (HPC) unit, and a Confocal Microscope were also commissioned.
Prof. Kwesi Yankah and Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu commissioning the new WACCBIP building
Prof. Gordon Awandare, Director of WACCBIP, expressed his pride at the Centre's commitment towards the provision of the best facilities suitable for advanced training and research. He was excited by the Centre's considerable achievements in the few years of its existence.
Prof. Gordon Awandare, Director of WACCBIP
“Four and half years ago, we dared to dream and to imagine an environment where Science is interesting; where young people are enthusiastic; and where the best brains interact to do Science,” Prof. Awandare said. “And I am glad to say that today; we take the biggest step towards that.”
Guests at the commissioning
He explained that the space from which the Centre had operated within the Department of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB) had its limitations, as there were limited study facilities for fellows outside of research laboratories. These facilities, such as a PhD lecture room and office spaces for visiting faculty, have been provided in the new building. He said the facilities would help expand WACCBIP's network and provide young scientists the tools to achieve their potential.
“We have provided fellowships for 152 African scientists at the masters, PhD and post-doctoral level. These are scientists who are good and were looking for opportunities in other countries and [now] they are all happy to stay here.”
He highlighted some excellent research work by fellows which have significant national and regional relevance. He also spoke about the Centre's public engagement activities completed with the aim of inspiring public awareness and excitement about Science.
Prof. Awandare called on Government to put in place a Research Fund to promote research, innovation, and development.
“We are asking today when the National Research Fund will be established. To sustain our work, the government needs to commit a budget for research every year,” Prof. Awandare said. “We hope that, based on what we are doing, government will provide some form of scholarship for master's and PhD students.”
The Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, who was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony, was not only impressed by WACCBIP's wide range of scientific activities and programmes, but also with the fact that the Centre has grown and charted a path of excellence in the sub-region towards growing and enriching graduate work in specialised areas within the Sciences.
“Today, we focus on the achievements and advances of WACCBIP as they commission this magnificent building with the state-of-the art training facilities,” Hon. Prof. Yankah said. “I can easily vouch that its ambience and facilities are comparable to those I have seen in some of the top universities of the world. I congratulate the WACCBIP team for this remarkable achievement.”
The Honourable Minister was also impressed with the High-Performance Computing System, which is the first of its kind to be installed for genomic research in Ghana. He was optimistic that it will provide considerable advantage for data processing and storage, which will facilitate teaching and learning at WACCBIP and at the University of Ghana at large.
Dr. Lydia Mosi, Head of Department of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB)
He affirmed Government's commitment to renew the impact the ACEs are making in Ghana. He said that government will be committing $60 million for the next round of applications for the ACE project.
“Government has decided to renew the nation's commitment to the World Bank ACE project to participate in the next round of funding dubbed the 'ACE III' project,” Prof. Yankah said. “Government is committing $60 million dollars for the next round, with the aim to fund up to 10 centres across the various universities.”
The Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, who was the Guest of Honour
Responding to the calls for a National Research Fund, he assured that a bill was currently before Parliament.
“The NRIF is currently before Parliament and will soon be written into law,” Prof Yankah said. “The fund will provide additional funds to support, promote, and publicize research and technology.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, expressed his pride at the University of Ghana's status as the only University with two African Centres of Excellence. He acknowledged WACCBIP as one of the vehicles of transformation towards the University's goal of becoming a world-class research-intensive university.
“WACCBIP is among the best in all the top performance categories and was the first of all the 46 African Centres of Excellence to receive international accreditation,” Prof. Oduro Owusu said.
The Vice-Chancellor commended WACCBIP for its community-oriented activities with several investments into research across the University.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu
“WACCBIP has rejuvenated research among young students and faculty at the University of Ghana. By wining competitive grants, they have invested some of their funds into supporting research at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the School of Biomedical Engineering. They are also currently supporting the Institute of Applied Science and Technology to establish a reagents supply store to facilitate procurement of research and consumables in bulk, which will save cost, and reduce the period of waiting for supplies.”
Mrs. Eunice Ackwerh, World Bank ACE project Co-Task Team Leader for Ghana
Acknowledging WACCBIP as one of the College's greatest assets, the Provost of the College of Basic & Applied Sciences, Prof. Daniel Asiedu, said that the College was proud to be associated with WACCBIP's achievements because it is in line with the key role of making the University of Ghana a research-intensive institution.
