National Vaccine Institute, UHAS partner to boost vaccine research
The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) has declared its readiness to partner with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) to boost vaccine manufacturing and research in Ghana.
Speaking at the Second Session of the Ninth Congregation of UHAS in Ho on Saturday, May 31, Acting CEO of NVI, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, said while Ghana’s current focus is on producing existing vaccines, more investment is needed in developing new vaccines to tackle future health threats.
“This is where institutions like UHAS are essential. We must prioritise vaccine research and development to stay ahead of future public health threats,” he said.
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey recounted a recent visit with a European Union and GIZ-NVI delegation to UHAS, describing their interaction with the university’s Vaccine Research and Development team as impressive. The visit, he said, led to the mobilisation of initial support under the EU-funded PharmaVax project.
He noted that the Institute, under the Team Europe framework, is working with partners to improve Ghana’s vaccine research infrastructure, adding that UHAS’s human capital would be vital to achieving national goals.
He urged graduates to remain grounded in their values and strive for excellence.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato announced new academic programs for the 2024/2025 academic year, including: Doctor of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Health Service Administration, and a six-year combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology. New MPhil and Ph.D. programmes in Midwifery and Pharmaceutical Sciences have also been introduced.
She also announced a new certificate course in Sports and Exercise Medicine for fitness professionals, launched in September 2024.
Prof. Aziato reported that construction on the UHAS Main Bypass Road stalled in January 2025 after partial bitumen work. The Department of Urban Roads has repackaged the project for review.
Valedictorian Mrs. Bernice Evenunye Akosua Atsu from the School of Nursing and Midwifery urged graduates to uphold integrity in the face of moral decline, citing corruption and illegal mining as major concerns.
UHAS graduated 957 students at the ceremony, bringing the total for the 2023/2024 academic year to 2,476—the highest in the university’s history. Since its first graduation in 2016, UHAS has trained over 11,000 health professionals.
Council Chairman Prof. Kodzo Gavua reaffirmed UHAS’s vision to become a leading hub for health training in Africa and called for better support for sandwich students, especially nursing mothers and pregnant women.
