By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana’s premier biomedical research institution, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), has reinforced its rising stature in global health as it opened the 2025 Annual Research Meeting (ARM) in Accra. The gathering has drawn leading scientists, health policymakers, researchers, students and international partners committed to advancing innovation in healthcare.
Held under the theme “Advancing Healthcare Through Impactful Research and Innovation,” this year’s ARM is showcasing breakthroughs in diagnostics, disease surveillance, capacity building and cross-border scientific collaboration, areas central to both national and global public health systems.
The 2025 edition recorded a landmark 313 abstract submissions, with 310 accepted for presentation. The studies span infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal health, climate-related health impacts, mental health, and health systems strengthening.
Participants represent Ghana’s leading scientific and academic institutions, including CSIR, WACCBIP, the School of Public Health, UGMS, SON, SOP, KNUST and UHAS, alongside partners from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Uganda and Morocco, a demonstration of growing regional cooperation in evidence-based health research.
Director of NMIMR, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to its core mandate of researching diseases of public health importance, delivering specialised diagnostic services and developing scientific capacity across the subregion.
She revealed that NMIMR researchers have published over 200 scientific papers this year, with significant progress recorded in point-of-care diagnostics and phytomedicine research, positioning the institution as a leading contributor to biologics and innovative health solutions in Africa.
Minister for Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP), expressed government’s dedication to enhancing Ghana’s health security architecture. He announced ongoing discussions around a national fellowship programme, in collaboration with WHO and other partners, to train emerging scientists in genomics, biostatistics, biomedical engineering and other critical fields shaping the future of global health.
He emphasized that Noguchi’s extensive expertise must directly support district-level decision-making and national health policy reforms, ensuring Ghana remains well-prepared for future public health threats.
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, described the ARM as a pivotal platform where scientific evidence drives policy, innovation and collaboration. He noted that the meeting coincides with the Silver Jubilee of the College, celebrating 25 years of excellence in research, training and health education.
The 2025 Annual Research Meeting not only showcases NMIMR’s scientific achievements but also reinforces Ghana’s expanding leadership in global health research. With strong regional participation, robust scientific output, and deep government and institutional support, Noguchi continues to shape critical innovations that will influence healthcare systems for years to come.
