KHRC pays a courtesy call on health minister

The Director of the Kintampo Health Research Centre (KHRC), Dr.Seth Owusu-Agyei, the Director of the Health Research Unit of the Ghana Health Service, Prof.John Gyapong and representatives of senior staff of KHRC paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Hon. Major Courage Quarshigah (rtd). This was at the sector Minister’s invitation to his office in Accra on Friday November 14, 2008. The visit was to formally present to the minister the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for international cooperation to leading research institutions in the fight against malaria in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa. This was awarded to the centre in a grand ceremony held in Oviedo, Spain on October 24, 2008.

The Director of the Health Research Unit (HRU) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) led the team. He explained that a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that KHRC was among three other health research institutions in Africa to have won the award. KHRC was invited to Spain to receive the award and Dr.Seth Owusu-Agyei and Dr.Kwaku Poku Asante, a Senior Clinical Research Fellow attended the formal ceremony on behalf of the centre. On their return from Spain, Prof. Gyapong indicated that it was therefore fitting to formally present the award to the sector minister.

The minister had a few questions regarding the vaccine trials currently undertaken by the centre. He wanted to know how long the vaccine will be able to protect children from getting malaria if it were found to be effective. Dr.Seth Owusu-Agyei responded that an earlier study conducted in Mozambique in the first two years, showed that protection was still present but the levels were going down with time. Three years after these children were vaccinated, their blood samples were collected and analyzed and although some of the children still had malaria, they did not suffer from the severe forms. 

The minister again asked whether all the four institutions were engaged in vaccine trials and whether there was any collaboration between them. Dr. Seth Owusu-Agyei responded in the affirmative and stated that there was a strong collaboration between these institutions. He explained that even a week before the presentation of the award, there was a meeting held in Accra where eleven (11) research institutions with their collaborators and sponsors of the malaria vaccine trials met and shared their experiences. Apart from that, he added that Directors of these institutions meet at conferences to discuss issues concerning malaria.

The minister seized the opportunity to congratulate the Kintampo Health Research Centre on the good work done which has gained international recognition. In his words: “hard work means more work”, he spurred on scientists as well as other staff of KHRC to work harder to come out with an effective vaccine against malaria. Prof. Gyapong on behalf of the team thanked the minister for giving the team the opportunity to meet him.

On that Friday, there was a cocktail party in the evening at the Spanish Embassy at the invitation of Spanish ambassador to Ghana, Julia Olmo. In her welcome address, she expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Spanish government to all who honoured her invitation. She informed invited guests that the gathering was to honour the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service and especially the Kintampo Health Research Centre for winning the 2008 Prince of Asturias award in the category of international cooperation. She added that the hard work and contribution of the Director and staff of KHRC in the fight against malaria, have been recognized by His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias. She also promised the support of the government of Spain to Ghana in the fight against malaria, other diseases and in other developmental areas.

For more info contact:

Kabio Casimir Donlebo (Communications Officer).
Kintampo Health Research Centre
P.O.Box 200
Kintampo.B/A.
Tel: +233 246 391916