The University of Ghana and its partners from the New York University on March 2nd and 3rd organized its first Annual Ghana Research Ethics Network (GREN) Conference at the Auditorium of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The New York University-University of Ghana (NYU-UG) Research Integrity Training Program (RITP), is an NIH-funded grant that is being implemented by the two institutions – since 2018.
At the launch of GREN, the Co-Principal Investigator of the grant, Professor Amos Laar indicated that the initiative has so far trained 30 Fellows, and has facilitated the establishment of an MSc Degree in Bioethics at the University of Ghana, School of Public Health. So far 30 graduates students are undergoing training in Bioethics.
The main purpose of GREN is to bring together all stakeholders of the NYU-UG RITP (Fellows, Students, and Faculty) and allow Fellows and MSc students to present their research regarding; to discuss how their training can meaningfully impact and benefit their careers, their students, and their research, as well as to enhance the profile of health research in Ghana and neighbouring countries.
The Foundation Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Seth Ayettey was at the conference. Himself a member of the project Advocatory Committee, he delivered a message at the conference stating that this network marks an important milestone in a plan to establish a vibrant and effective ethical committee in Ghana, West Africa, and eventually in Africa.
“Within five years, the New York University-University of Ghana Fellowship program has mentored 30 fellows to build research ethics in Ghana. More than half of this number have completed the program and four have graduated with a Master’s degree in Bioethics from New York University”, he noted.
Professor Seth Ayettey noted that he is very pleased to be associated with the success story and congratulated all the pioneers of the program. The complete statement delivered by Prof Ayettey can be found below.
Read Professor Seth Ayettey’s full remarks below
I thank the organizing committee for the opportunity to say a few words at this inaugural meeting of the Ghana Research Ethics Network (GREN).
This Network marks an important milestone in a plan to establish vibrant, efficient, and effective ethical committees in Ghana, in West Africa, and, eventually, in all deprived countries in Africa.
Within five years, the New York University-University of Ghana Fellowship program has mentored 30 fellows to build research ethics capacity in Ghana. More than half of this number have completed the program. Four of that number have graduated with a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the New York University School of Medicine.
From this collaborative effort has emerged a Master’s program in Bioethics at the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana – a major success. It is to be noted that this program is a first in Ghana and, I believe, in West Africa. Also, of the four who have completed the Master’s degree at the New York University, three are now faculty at the School of Public, contributing to teaching and research in the new Master’s program in Bioethics. What an achievement!
Another significant success from the Fogarty International Center Grant to fund the New York University-University of Ghana Fellowship program, is the completion of the training of the first group of students admitted to the new Master’s program at the School of Public Health. Some of these students are here at this conference to present their research work.
I am very pleased, therefore, to be associated with this success story, as an Advisory Committee member. I congratulate the pioneers of the NYU- UG Fellowship program. These including Prof’s Arthur Caplan, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Amos Laar, John Appiah-Poku, Joseph Ayee, Barbara Redman, Jon Merz, Rosamond Rhodes, and Dr. Kyle Ferguson and Henry Silverman.
I also congratulate the pioneer fellows of the program. They have done extremely well, keeping the flag of Ghana flying high. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated socio-economic challenges, they worked hard to complete their assignments successfully.
We should all applaud Prof. Amos Laar and his colleagues at the School of Public Health, together with Dr. Kyle Ferguson, for working hard to establish the Master’s Program in Bioethics at the University of Ghana. Professor Laar’s leadership in all this has been exemplary. He deserves our commendation.
To the first cohort of students who have completed that program, I say “well done”.
At this Network meeting of Fellows of the program, we are continuing to build upon the successes achieved so far. A few years from now, may we see GREN grow into a West Africa Research Ethics Network (WAREN) which, in turn, should give rise to an Africa Research Ethics Network (AREN).
It is, indeed a privilege and joy to be part of this journey, therefore. When the history of the growth of research ethics in Ghana, in West Africa, and in Africa is written, may you all feature in it as living foundation blocks. And may the publications from your research in bioethics contribute significantly to the shifting of the boundaries of knowledge in that field for the public good.
Thank you, and may God bless and establish the work of our hands for future generations to build on.
Rev. Emeritus Professor Seth Ayettey “
