KNUST College of Health Sciences Conference Champions Quality and Collaboration in Ghana’s Healthcare
The College of Health Sciences (CHS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has once again taken the lead in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Ghana. The College successfully hosted the 11th Biennial Scientific Conference from 10th to 12th September 2025 at the KNUST School of Business, bringing together brilliant minds from academia, research, government, and healthcare practice.
Organised in partnership with the German-West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention (G-WAC), this year’s conference was held under the theme, “Bridging the Gaps: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Strengthening Ghana’s Health System.”
A Gathering of Minds and Purpose
Over 300 abstracts were submitted by researchers, postgraduate students, and health professionals from Ghana and beyond, with approximately 200 oral and 100 poster presentations making the final cut. The event also featured 13 pre-conference workshops, 12 keynote and plenary speakers, and over 60 international participants, making it one of the most dynamic editions of the biennial series to date.
In his welcome address, Prof. Christian Agyare, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, described the conference as “a celebration of intellectual pursuit, scientific innovation, and our shared commitment to improving health outcomes through collaboration.” He called on participants to use the platform not just to present data but to “spark conversations, inspire collaboration, and challenge the status quo.”
Keynote Address: A Call to Action
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Desmond Boateng, the Chief Director for the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighting the urgent need to close existing gaps in Ghana’s healthcare system.
“Every gap in our health system has a face — a mother walking miles for care, a nurse working without tools, a community unheard,” he said. “Bridging these gaps is not an option; it is a national imperative.”
Mr. Desmond Boateng commended KNUST and the College of Health Sciences for creating a platform that connects policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in the shared mission to strengthen health systems through innovation and collaboration.
Inspiring Sub-Theme Discussions
The conference explored a wide range of topics through themed sessions, including governance, leadership, health financing, information systems, and service delivery.
- Dr. Kwesi Asabir, former Director of Human Resources for Health, discussed pragmatic solutions to Ghana’s brain drain challenge.
- Prof. Dr. Wilm Quentin from the University of Bayreuth shared insights on innovative health financing models.
- Pharm. Dr. Margretta Odame Antwi and Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto presented lessons from Ghana’s National Electronic Medical Record System.
- Ms. Jennifer Moodley and Ms. Bonifacia Benefo Agyei highlighted the role of quality assurance and the SafeCare initiative in improving health outcomes.
- Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey and Prof. Christian Drosten underscored the importance of local vaccine production for national self-sufficiency.
Each presentation reinforced the importance of evidence-based policymaking and cross-sector collaboration in building a resilient health system.
Scientific Contributions and Research Highlights
The Scientific Sub-Committee, chaired by Prof. (Mrs.) Cynthia Amaning Danquah reported receiving 330 abstracts, the highest in the conference’s history.
The research covered emerging public health issues such as antimicrobial resistance, artificial intelligence in healthcare, telemedicine, and chronic disease management.
Notable studies included:
- Financing Telemedicine for Sustainable Healthcare Delivery in Ghana
- Impact of Iron Status on Malaria Severity in Children
- AI-Driven Surveillance for Infectious Diseases
- High-Dose Rifampicin and Albendazole Therapy for Onchocerciasis
Poster sessions also generated lively engagement, featuring topics such as herbal medicine safety, tuberculosis case detection, and environmental surveillance of pathogens.
Communiqué on Quality in Healthcare
One of the major outcomes of the conference was the adoption of a communiqué on “The Importance of Quality in Healthcare Delivery in Ghana.”
The communiqué emphasized that quality is the foundation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and called for national commitment to improving patient safety, accountability, and leadership at all levels of the health system.
It identified systemic challenges such as inadequate leadership, weak financing for quality initiatives, and over-dependence on donor-driven projects. To address these, participants recommended:
- Making quality a core pillar of healthcare policy and delivery,
- Building leadership capacity to sustain quality improvement,
- Strengthening digital and data systems for decision-making, and
- Integrating quality assurance frameworks into health training curricula.
“Quality healthcare is not a luxury; it is a right,” the communiqué stated. “As Ghana strives toward Universal Health Coverage, the time for action is now.”
Building the Future Together
In his remarks, Prof. John Amuasi, the Director of G-WAC, emphasized that the future of healthcare lies in multidisciplinary collaboration and the One Health approach. He called for continued partnership between academia, government, and communities to address emerging public health threats.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to champion research-led policy reforms, strengthen local innovation, and ensure that every Ghanaian has access to safe, affordable, and high-quality healthcare.
A Platform for Change
The 11th Biennial Scientific Conference reaffirmed KNUST’s leadership in advancing health research and training in Ghana. Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, the College of Health Sciences continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s healthcare future — one discovery, one partnership, and one breakthrough at a time.
