Accra: The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, has affirmed the Institute’s readiness to collaborate with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in vaccine manufacturing and research. Speaking as guest speaker at the Second Session of the Ninth Congregation of UHAS, Dr. Sodzi-Tettey noted that while Ghana’s current focus is on producing existing vaccines, greater investment is needed in the development of new vaccines to combat emerging pathogens and future pandemics.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Sodzi-Tettey emphasized the importance of institutions like UHAS in prioritizing vaccine research and development to stay ahead of future public health threats. He recounted a recent visit he led alongside a delegation from the European Union and GIZ-NVI partners to meet with the UHAS Vice Chancellor and her Vaccine Research and Development team, expressing his admiration for their work. The visit spurred the mobilisation of initial support to strengthen research and development capacity under the EU-funded PharmaVax project.
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey highlighted the continued collaboration between NVI, EU partners, and other stakeholders to enhance Ghana’s vaccine research infrastructure, noting that UHAS’s human capital would be vital to national vaccine goals. He encouraged graduates to remain true to their values, advocating for choosing the path of excellence even when faced with difficult choices.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato announced the introduction of several new academic programmes for the 2024/2025 academic year, including a Doctor of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Health Service Administration, and combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology with various specializations. New Master’s and Ph.D. programmes in various medical sciences and a Professional Practice Certificate Course in the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine were also introduced.
Prof. Aziato also reported progress on the UHAS Main Bypass Road, awarded to First Sky Limited. Although the first layer of bitumen has been completed, work stalled in January 2025, leaving kerb and walkway construction unfinished. The Department of Urban Roads has repackaged the outstanding internal roadworks and submitted a proposal for further action.
Mrs. Bernice Evenunye Akosua Atsu, the Valedictorian from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, praised the Vice Chancellor and highlighted the ceremony’s theme, addressing moral decay and urging graduates to uphold integrity and values to make a positive impact.
A total of 957 students, mainly from sandwich and postgraduate programmes, graduated during this session, bringing the total number of UHAS graduates for the 2023/2024 academic year to 2,476. Council Chairman Prof. Kodzo Gavua noted this was the highest number of graduates in the university’s history, emphasizing the university’s commitment to becoming a preferred destination for training health professionals in Ghana and Africa. He also appealed to management to enhance the experience of sandwich programme students, particularly nursing mothers and pregnant students.