National Vaccine Institute to partner UHAS on vaccine manufacturing

Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey is the Acting CEO of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI). He confirmed the NVI's readiness to work with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on vaccine manufacturing and research.

He spoke at UHAS's Ninth Congregation on May 31. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey emphasized Ghana's need for new vaccines. He stated that more investment is crucial for future pandemics.

“Institutions like UHAS are essential,” he said. “We must prioritize vaccine research to combat public health threats.”

He shared details about a recent visit with EU partners to UHAS. The delegation met with the Vice Chancellor and her team. “We were all deeply impressed,” he noted, highlighting support for R&D under the EU-funded PharmaVax project.

Dr. Sodzi-Tettey mentioned ongoing collaboration with EU partners to improve Ghana’s vaccine infrastructure. He stressed that UHAS’s expertise is vital for national vaccine goals.

He encouraged graduates to stay true to their values: “Choose the path that aligns with your values, even if it is harder.”

Vice Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato announced new academic programs for 2024/2025. These include a Doctor of Medical Laboratory Sciences and a Bachelor of Health Service Administration.

Other programs include combined degrees in Psychology and advanced degrees in Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Pharmacognosy.

She also introduced a Professional Practice Certificate Course in Sports and Exercise Medicine starting September 2024.

Prof. Aziato reported progress on the UHAS Main Bypass Road project awarded to First Sky Limited. The first layer of bitumen has been completed but work stalled in January 2025 due to unfinished kerb and walkway construction.

The Department of Urban Roads has submitted proposals for outstanding internal roadworks.

Valedictorian Mrs. Bernice Evenunye Akosua Atsu praised the Vice Chancellor during her speech. She highlighted rising moral decay linked to corruption and illegal mining (galamsey).

She urged graduates to uphold integrity: “Let us be resilient in adversity and strive for positive impact.”

A total of 957 students graduated this session from sandwich and postgraduate programs. This brings UHAS's total graduates for 2023/2024 to 2,476 after November’s session saw 1,519 graduates.

Council Chairman Prof. Kodzo Gavua noted this was UHAS's highest number of graduates ever. Since its first graduation in July 2016, over 11,000 health professionals have been trained by UHAS across Ghana.

“We aim to be the preferred destination for training health professionals in Ghana and Africa,” he stated.

Prof. Gavua also called on management to improve experiences for sandwich program students, especially nursing mothers and pregnant students.