Accra: The Social Investment Fund (SIF) handed over the project site for constructing a Biotechnology Research Centre at the University of Ghana to contractors. The facility is part of the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP), a five-year initiative funded by the African Development Bank.
According to Ghana Web, PSDPEP aims to enhance skills development, research capacity, and productivity, particularly in the health and science sectors. The Research Centre, to be constructed by Bawahuud Limited, is expected to be completed within 12 months and is financed through the US$28.5 million grant allocated to the PSDPEP by the AfDB. It will include modern laboratories, offices, classrooms, and infrastructure to support advanced training and innovation in biotechnology.
Abass Nurudeen, CEO of SIF, highlighted the handing over as a significant shift from planning to implementation under PSDPEP. He stated that the project is crucial for strengthening Ghana's health sector, enhancing research capacity, and building resilient systems to address future public health challenges. Nurudeen emphasized the importance of adhering to designs, timelines, and quality standards, and assured that SIF, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, would ensure successful delivery. A potential second phase of the PSDPEP may feature biotechnology prominently.
Prof Kwame Offei, Founding Director of the Biotechnology Centre and Project Coordinator, said the new facility would significantly expand the Centre's capacity for training and advanced research. He noted the importance of continuous investment in sophisticated equipment for biotechnology to address emerging challenges, particularly in genomic research. Prof Offei highlighted the need to bridge gaps in Ghana's biotechnology research landscape to undertake genomic research.
Prof Sandow Mark Yidana, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, expressed gratitude to SIF and its partners, noting that the project aligns with the University's strategic plan prioritizing impactful research. He said the Centre would serve Ghana and the broader West African sub-region, where advanced biotechnology facilities are limited.
Daniel Asare Amoako, Project Manager for the Research Centre, assured stakeholders of the project's timely completion and adherence to high quality standards. The PSDPEP, scheduled for completion in 2027, will also support the construction of research and skills development centres in nursing, midwifery, and microbiology at the University of Ghana.