US$1.5 million West African Genetic Medicine Centre inaugurated

Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, officially opened the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) on Friday (8 November).

The state-of-the-art facility, located on the Legon campus, aims to position Ghana as a leader in genomic medicine in West Africa.

Funded with US$1.5 million from the government through the World Bank’s Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE IMPACT) project, the new complex spans 2,800 square metres. 

It includes a 220-square-metre open laboratory, a 200-seat auditorium, a biorepository, a genetic counselling clinic, smart classrooms, and dedicated spaces for teaching and research.

During the inauguration, Professor Amfo highlighted WAGMC’s potential to transform genetic medicine on the continent, stating, “Here we are today witnessing not the inauguration of the building of another research centre on Legon campus. Through this, we also celebrate the impact WAGMC is already making.” 

She added that the centre’s advanced facilities mark a key milestone towards its mission of becoming a global leader in genomics training and research.

Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum praised the quality of the construction and called on WAGMC to expand its outreach efforts to inspire young students to explore careers in genetics. 

He affirmed the government’s commitment to support programmes that provide children, particularly those in rural areas, with access to genetic science education.

Since its establishment, WAGMC has been at the forefront of promoting genetic health in Ghana. 

In 2020, the centre collaborated with Okyenhene Osagyefuo Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin to offer free genetic testing and screening to over 2,000 people in the Eastern Region. 

This initiative has since expanded nationwide under the Ghanaian Genome (GhGenome) project, engaging traditional leaders across regions including Greater Accra, Central, Volta, Ashanti, and Upper East.

WAGMC stands out for offering the first MSc Genetic Counselling programme in Sub-Saharan Africa, launched in 2021. 

The centre also runs short courses to continuously enhance the skills of healthcare professionals in genetics.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, the director of WAGMC, Professor Solomon Fiifi Ofori Acquah, revealed that the centre has developed MPhil and PhD programmes in Medical Molecular Genetics. These programmes have received approval from the University of Ghana and are currently undergoing accreditation by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

Reporting by Eugenia Nyantakyi in Greater Accra

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand

The post US$1.5 million West African Genetic Medicine Centre inaugurated appeared first on Asaase Radio.