2025 UHAS Research Conference Ends with a Call for Stronger and Sustainable Health Systems

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has successfully concluded its Third Research Conference, held from October 21 to 23, 2025, at the University’s Main Campus, Sokode-Lokoe, Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana.  
The conference opened with a ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at the University’s Cedi Auditorium and ended with another ceremony on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the same venue.
The three-day conference brought together distinguished scholars, policymakers and health professionals from Ghana and abroad to deliberate on the theme “Global Health Resilience: Emerging Threats, Policy Impacts and Sustainable Solutions”.
The event served as a platform to share scientific evidence, policy insights and practical innovations aimed at strengthening health systems and ensuring long-term resilience in Africa and beyond.

In her address, Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of UHAS and the Chairperson of the conference, underscored the critical role of research in achieving universal and sustainable healthcare coverage. She said Africa must find home-grown sustainable solutions to its health challenges and ensure that the outcomes of research translate into actions that directly benefit the public. “Conferences such as this must not end in reports or publications. The real impact comes when our research outcomes reach the masses and create lasting change in healthcare.” she stated.
Professor Aziato highlighted the importance of technology and artificial intelligence in driving innovation and efficiency in the health sector. She urged researchers to leverage digital tools to design long-term health interventions tailored to Africa’s context.
Touching on mental health, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the need for resilient health systems capable of addressing emerging psychosocial challenges, adding that mental well-being should remain a national health priority. 
She called for mutually beneficial partnerships beyond the conference, stressing that collaboration among academia, government and international organisations is essential to achieve impact at scale.

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Togbega Drake Tsigbe IV, Paramount Chief of Akoefe, represented Togbe Tepre Hodo, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and conveyed the continuous support of traditional leaders to development programmes in the Volta Region and beyond. 
Professor Margaret Gyapong, a Professor of Health Policy Implementation Research at UHAS Institute of Health Research (IHR) , a former Director of UHAS-IHR and the Chairperson for the 2025 UHAS Research  Conference Planning Committee, urged researchers to ensure that scientific findings inform real-world policy and decision-making. 
Professor M. Gyapong called for stronger investment in research capacity, data systems and innovation in African universities to build more resilient health systems. She emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, saying that complex health challenges require the collective expertise of scientists, social researchers and policymakers.
Commending UHAS for providing a vibrant platform that connects research, policy and practice, she encouraged young scientists to produce research that makes a measurable difference in people’s lives. She then reminded participants that all research efforts must align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ghana’s national health priorities.

Delivering the Keynote Adress, Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3, called for proactive investment in health preparedness systems to prevent the devastating impacts of future pandemics.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Global Health Resilience: Emerging Threats, Policy Impacts and Sustainable Solutions”, Dr Makanga noted that COVID-19 exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of the global health system. He therefore advocated for preparedness as the new benchmark for quality in global health. 
He drew attention to findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2025, published in The Lancet, showing that global outbreaks have increased steadily since 2003. With less than five years remaining to achieve the SDGs, he said countries must reshape their health policies around resilience, sustainability and equity.

Dr Makanga outlined key continental strategies such as the WHO Africa Regional Strategy for Health Security (2022–2030) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which emphasize innovation, vaccine self-sufficiency and digital health. He showcased the work of Global Health EDCTP3, the largest Europe–Africa research partnership, supporting over 100 projects across 64 countries. Among its notable achievements are the development of the first malaria and schistosomiasis vaccines for children, new treatments for neglected tropical diseases and the establishment of Africa-wide genomic and epidemic preparedness networks.
He concluded with a powerful reminder: “If an emerging threat hits tomorrow, we must be ready to launch a trial within 30 days ethically, safely and collaboratively.”
Professor Alexander Ansah Manu, Director of UHAS Institute of Health Research (UHAS-IHR), spoke on the topic “Research within the Context of the University of Health and Allied Sciences”.He affirmed that UHAS was established under Act 828 (2011) with a dual mandate to train health professionals and conduct cutting-edge research.
Dr Manu expressed concern that Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio of 234 per 100,000 live births remains far from the SDG target of 70. He urged increased innovation and system strengthening to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes.
He further observed that the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, re-emerging infections and climate change requires new research approaches. Referring to his slide titled ‘The Sea Eats the Land at Home’, he drew attention to the health impacts of environmental change.

Professor Manu also highlighted the work of the UHAS Centre for NCD Research, which currently leads projects on parental care practices and childhood development and the cost assessment of the miLab™ MAL Digital Microscope for malaria diagnosis — both funded through international partnerships.
He concluded by urging researchers to conduct studies that produce meaningful community impact, citing UHAS community outreach and NCD screening activities at Keta as examples.
A symposium on “The Politics of Global Health: Policies, Aid and Power Dynamics” was another highlight of the conference. The session, moderated by Professor Olumide Ogundahunsi, featured distinguished panelists including Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA); Dr Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, former Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health; and Dr Anarfi Asamoah-Baah, former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The conference featured a special plenary session on “Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical and Clinical Research in Africa”, facilitated by Dr. Stephen Moore, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Cape Coast.
Dr. Moore’s presentation focused on the AI imperative in Africa, highlighting the continent’s rapid digital transformation including over 495 million internet users and a growing network of cloud and AI hubs. He discussed the potential of AI in accelerating biomedical research, particularly in addressing Africa’s major health challenges such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and Neglected Tropical Diseases, amid limited health infrastructure.
Dr Moore cited examples of AI-powered disease diagnosis in Africa such as image recognition for malaria detection using mobile phone microscopy coupled with machine learning algorithms. He further examined barriers to healthcare delivery including limited facilities, inadequate health workers and geographical obstacles and called for policies to support data sharing and ethical AI solutions tailored to Africa’s realities.

There were panel discussions which examined the challenges associated with rebuilding health systems amid declining donor funding and shifting global health priorities, among others. The panelists also explored how low-and middle-income countries could strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, governance and accountability to reduce dependence on external aid, regarding health research. The engaging discussion sessions offered practical pathways for achieving equity, self-reliance and sustainable health financing, earning enthusiastic feedback from the audience.
The conference concluded with brief remarks from invited partners and dignitaries, who assured the University of their unflinching support on the way forward. The dignitaries included Dr Atsu Dordor, Volta Regional Director of Health Services and  Dr Sofonias Asrat, Coordinator of Health Systems at the World Health Organization (WHO).
The acting Registrar of the University, Dr. Cedrick Dorkenoo in his closing remarks, praised attendees and conveyed his excitement about the thought-provoking conference. He hoped that participants would leave with wonderful memories, information and connections related to a range of topics regarding African health systems.
Awards were presented to outstanding researchers: Ms Kezia Hazel received the Overall Best Oral Presentation (Young Investigator Category); Mr Kingsford Norshie, the Overall Best Poster Presentation (Young Investigator Category); Ms Juliet Aggrey-Korsah, the Overall Best Poster Presentation (Senior Investigator Category); and Ms Phidelia Theresa Doegah, the Best Oral Presentation (Senior Investigator Category).

The conference attracted international delegates, seasoned researchers from Ghana including officials from the Ghana Health Service and members of the UHAS community, both academic and administrative. Attendance was hybrid, with in person and virtual participants. A total of 200 abstracts were received from eleven African countries and Switzerland, demonstrating UHAS’ growing role as a hub for research collaboration across the continent.
The 3rd UHAS Research Conference ended with lots of optimism, having participants resolving to deepen collaborations and accelerate the translation of research into practice. Binding the three-day dialogue and presentations is one clear message - sustainable health systems require technology, preparedness, innovation and partnerships that prioritise people.