By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Aug. 26, GNA — Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, has urged African governments to take a leading role in funding health research on the continent.
He emphasised that reliance on external donors makes African research systems vulnerable to shifts in international policy and funding priorities.
Professor Awandare made these remarks at the 5th Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Consortium Meeting, an event jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the NIH.
The meeting, which marks a significant milestone in advancing data science and health research across Africa, is on the theme, “Data Science in Africa: Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration across Networks, Sectors and Impact Areas.”
It aims to strategically catalyse robust, cross-continental collaborations between DS-I Africa and Wellcome Trust grantees by uniting diverse data science initiatives supported by both organizations.
The meeting seeks to equip African researchers, institutions, and policymakers with the tools needed to transform public health outcomes through data innovation.
A significant financing shortfall, stemming from diminished foreign assistance, economic instability, and shifting priorities, is currently crippling global health research.
This crisis severely hampers initiatives to manage infectious diseases, prepare for future pandemics, and address persistent burdens such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. In response, major organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund, are advocating for substantially increased funding.
Citing the recent loss of research funding and jobs, Professor Awandare stressed that the dependency on external sources undermined scientific progress and threatens the sustainability of crucial projects.
Despite the funding shortfall, he noted that Ghana is making headway in domestic resource mobilization through the establishment of a research fund.
Ms. Heather Smith, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, highlighted the relevance of DS-I Africa, noting its considerable support for African countries.
She stated that the initiative had provided 38 research and training awards across 22 African nations.
Dr. Jasmit Shah, DS-I Africa Training Education Chair, said harnessing the power of data science for public health was a key focus of the DS-I Africa programme, a continent-wide initiative with significant presence in Ghana.
She said the programme’s collaborative nature, bringing together researchers, government, NGOs, and the private sector, was crucial for translating research into practical outputs beyond academic publications.
GNA
26 Aug. 2025
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong