Public Lectures

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    From Bridgetown to Accra - Hypertension as a Threat to the Diaspora: Lessons from COVID-19
    (University Of Ghana, 2023-11-22) Connell, K.
    This presentation will set the scene of hypertension, or high blood pressure, as a consistent and escalating public health concern for people of African descent. This will unfold under a lens of the post pandemic effect of COVID19. Although the disease burden of hypertension, and its deadly outcomes – heart attacks and strokes – will be described, a much closer examination of indigenous measures to address the problem will be explored. These include innovations to improve access to care, such as telehealth and remote blood pressure monitoring, as well as leveraging the geopolitical power to ensure that evidence-based drugs are available to treat people living with high blood pressure. Finally, the presenter will suggest a whole-of society-response to the existential threat uncontrolled blood pressure poses to many low-to-middle income countries – especially in the diaspora.
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    Artificial Intelligence and Economic Growth
    (University of Ghana., 2023-05-25) Marwala, Tshilidzi
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    Energy Transitions: Reflections on the state of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry.
    (University of Ghana., 2023-01-25) Faibille, E. Jr
    Commercial crude oil production in Ghana began in 2010 after its discovery in 2007, which sparked a renewed hope of economic recovery. Ghana has three main production fields: the Jubilee Field, TEN Field, and Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN) Field. Currently, other oil blocks are undergoing exploration and could increase the country’s production profile if successful discoveries are made. The oil and gas sector provides an avenue for supporting the national budget through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), smoothens budget shortfalls through the Stabilisation Fund and provides funding for future generations through the Heritage Fund. Between 2013 and 2021, the oil and gas sector contributed an average of 4.5% to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) out of about 20 subsectors. Again, natural gas from Ghana’s fields provides fuel for electricity generation through thermal power plants. In 2021, domestic gas formed about 85% of Ghana’s gas demand for power generation. Beyond power generation and support to the budget, the sector also provides direct and indirect employment and supports other sectors of the economy through forward and backward linkages. The current conversation about climate action has heightened the push to transition from fossil-based fuels to cleaner energy sources with possible implications for Ghana’s nascent oil and gas industry. For example, there are fears that Ghana would lose out on the benefits of oil production due to stranded assets occasioned by the transition. Nonetheless, the transition could be advantageous to the country if Ghana positions itself to benefit from the social, economic, and environmental opportunities it presents. Therefore, it is essential for policy to harmonise and balance the trade-offs that exist between oil and gas exploration and clean energy integration. As part of activities marking the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana which is under the theme: Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology, Embracing Humanism, this dialogue offers the opportunity for a thorough discussion of the future of Ghana’s oil and gas sector through the lenses of the energy transition. In addition, it seeks to answer critical questions of how Ghana can benefit from the energy transition and oil and gas exploration. Lastly, the dialogue highlights the expected action by key institutions in Ghana’s energy sector, which would lead to a maximum benefit of oil and gas and the energy transition.
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    Our Ghana: Reflections on Integrity and Resilience.
    (University of Ghana, 2023-03-02) Awuni, M.A.
    Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni, renowned Investigative Journalist, has delivered the second UG@75 Public Lecture on Ghana's 66th Independence on the topic, "Our Ghana: Reflections on Integrity and Resilience.’’ Mr. Azure Awuni, Editor-in-chief at the Fourth Estate, charged Ghanaians to uphold the virtue of integrity no matter what the challenges may be. In his presentation, Mr. Awuni highlighted some of the challenges Ghana is currently facing, such as corruption and bribery, dishonesty, a lack of commitment, and a lack of resilience. He stated that in order to fix these issues, individual commitment must be the starting point. He carefully examined the roles individuals in various sectors of the country, such as government, judiciary, academia, religious institutions, the middle class and the youth, can play in promoting integrity. “Academia should take a stand against corruption and dishonesty in our country and challenge authorities with the power of their knowledge and show it by not associating with persons or institutions known to be purveyors of corruption,’’ Mr. Azure Awuni noted. His charge to the University is to support in shaping the mindset of the youth to think collectively to foster integrity. “Teach them that in the eyes of the international community, there is no difference in the reverence or disdain for the rich and the poor from Ghana or Sub-Saharan Africa. Teach them to have altruistic spirits and not expect rewards for every good they do, for the world sometimes gives you the opposite of what you offer.” he stated. Mr. Azure Awuni further urged teachers to educate future leaders to fight corruption and injustice rather than remain silent. ‘Life is full of competition, but it is not a race and again, a good name is better than riches’, he concluded. The event’s Chairperson, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo, (Rtd.), Chair of University Council, stated that she was hopeful the discussions will influence policy dialogues and contribute to reforms and positive transformation. She highlighted some of the ways the University makes numerous contributions to national development, which include research, human resource training, community service, and engagement. Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor, in her address mentioned that, ‘Independence Day celebrations were until recently observed full scale across the regions, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies. After 66 years of nationhood, it is time to reflect on the nation deeply and consciously, through the lenses of integrity and resilience. It is for this reason that the Anniversary committee organised the lecture. She also highlighted upcoming events marking the University’s 75th Anniversary. There was also an interactive session that allowed participants to contribute to the discussion. The event was moderated by Mrs. Dzifa Bampoh , UG Alumna, award winning media personality and currently the Corporate Communications Manager, at the Ghana Grid Company Limited , GRIDCo. The Ghana Dance Ensemble gave a riveting performance, that highlighted the various political regimes Ghana has gone through, from independence. Also present at the event were the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, Heads of diplomatic missions, staff and students.
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    Restructuring the National Economy: The Need for a Paradigm Shift.
    (University of Ghana., 2023-04-06) Graham, Y.
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    Perspectives Of Antimicrobial Resistance In The Era Of Covid-19 Pandemic
    (University of Ghana., 2023-01-25) Amfo, N.A.A
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    Improving nutrition in rural Ghana: A glimpse at the first decade of the University of Ghana Nutrition Research and Training Centre
    (University of Ghana, 2020-03-17) Marquis, G.; Asiedu, D.K.
    Large disparities in nutrition persist in Ghana -- across regions and urban-rural settings as well as by sociodemographic classifications including sex, age, education, and wealth. Over the last 10 years, the University of Ghana Nutrition Research and Training Centre (NRTC) in the Eastern Region has provided support for national and international researchers to enhance the understanding of nutrition disparities and design interventions to improve rural lives. Nutritional status is affected by many determinants that must be addressed through coordinated activities in health, education, agriculture, finance, business, among other areas. Close collaborations through participatory research methodologies with stakeholders – from community residents to district directors – enhance the potential of sustainable intervention benefits. The projects at the NRTC work with local institutions to enrich the knowledge and skills of district staff to promote their services to the community and expand residents’ ability to address the daily challenges to providing a nutritious diet and healthy environment for their families. A decade of training and research at the NRTC has demonstrated that multi-sector approaches can improve rural nutrition and well-being.
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    Obesity a Menace to the Health of Adults in Ghana: Epidemiology and Policy Implications
    (2019-10-24) Yawson, A.
    Introduction: Trends of obesity in low- and middle-income countries continue to increase. Obesity increases the risk of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with all the related-health consequences worldwide and in Africa. Population level changes in body weight in Ghana over a ten-year period was assessed. Method: This analysis is based on data from SAGE Ghana Wave 0 (2003/2004) and SAGE Ghana Wave 2 (2014/2015) in over 3500 adults 18 years and older. Body mass index was used as the main outcome measure. Changes in population level prevalence of obesity over a decade were determined and risk predictors of obesity assessed. Results: Overall, prevalence of obesity in the adult population in Ghana has more than doubled within a decade (from 5.5% in 2004 to 13.4% in 2014). Obesity was higher in women than men (20.7% vs. 4.8%) and relatively higher among urban than rural dwellers (18.2% vs. 8.5%). The southern regions of Ghana had relatively higher levels of obesity (highest in the Greater Accra region, 16.1% in 2004 and 28.6% in 2014). In both sexes, prevalence of obesity was highest among those in their middle-ages (41-50 years), those with formal education (13.9%) and persons with sedentary lifestyles/ physically inactive (16.6%). Adults who consumed alcohol had high proportion of obesity in both 2004 and 2014. Generally, obese adults in Ghana had other co-morbid conditions (hypertension and diabetes) i.e. obese adults had significant higher levels of blood pressure. Conclusion: Obesity among adults in Ghana (18 years and older) has increased over two-folds in a decade. The analysis provides concrete evidence and need to intensify action across the country on the 2012 National Policy for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Ghana to shift the trajectory of factors contributing to the rise in NCDs and meet WHO’s NCD Target #7 to halt the rise in obesity and diabetes by 2025.