Ten Ghanaian journalists visit Imperial College, London

Imperial College London Hosts Ghanaian Journalists for Science Workshop

Prof. Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, welcomed Ghanaian journalists. They attended a workshop aimed at improving science reporting in Ghana. This event was organized by the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The British High Commission funded the workshop.

The top ten journalists received £1,000 each to create impactful science stories. As part of their training, they visited Imperial College in London. This visit aimed to enhance their skills in science communication.

At the White City Campus, Prof. Brady announced a new hub in Ghana. This hub will strengthen collaboration in research, technology, education, and entrepreneurship. He expressed excitement about Ghana's potential in artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that the Imperial-Schmidt AI Fellows Programme would foster partnerships with Ghana.

Prof. Brady discussed how AI could change access to ideas and solutions in Ghana. He believes AI will democratize research and is optimistic about its impact on national development. He noted that universities in Ghana can contribute significantly to economic growth.

He highlighted that Imperial College prioritizes research, especially in AI. The university has around 1,000 researchers focused on various aspects of AI. Prof. Brady explained that Imperial aims to produce solutions for societal challenges.

During the visit, officials shared environmental research conducted by Imperial College in Africa. Dr. Leon Barron presented findings on chemical contaminants affecting public health and the environment. The journalists toured an advanced environmental lab to see this research firsthand.

They also visited the Polymaterial lab at the I-HUB, which focuses on biodegradable plastics. This lab addresses "fugitive plastic," waste not typically recycled.

Before their meeting in London, Professor Majid Ezzati briefed them on ongoing research projects in Ghana. The hub launched in November 2024 aims to support academics and entrepreneurs across West Africa through enhanced collaboration with the UK.