Ghana set to procure DVA DNA testing device for Noguchi Institute – Health Minister confirms

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Health, has announced that all arrangements are in place for the acquisition of a DVA DNA testing device for the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

This follows the country’s recent inability to independently conduct DNA analyses after samples from victims of the August 6 helicopter crash had to be transported to South Africa for testing.

Speaking to the media at the 2025 Annual Research Meeting of NMIMR at the University of Ghana, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate procurement of the new DNA testing equipment to boost national diagnostic capacity.

According to the Minister, the President issued the directive to ensure that Ghana becomes self-sufficient in high-precision DNA testing, particularly during emergencies.

“The recent helicopter accident exposed gaps in our diagnostic capabilities. The President has therefore instructed that a DVA DNA testing device be acquired for Noguchi so that Ghana can handle such sensitive tests locally,” Akandoh said.

He also commended NMIMR for its steady progress in fulfilling its mandate, highlighting the Institute’s crucial contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued leadership in national and global health research.

Director of NMIMR, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, emphasized that the Institute’s work continues to shape major global health initiatives.

These include: the Global Polio Eradication Programme, International vaccination schedule development and the Global Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Programme.

She announced that over 200 manuscripts authored by NMIMR researchers have been published in high-impact journals in 2025 alone, reflecting the Institute’s rising global visibility and scientific output.

The Director further cautioned the public against self-medicating with antibiotics, warning that widespread misuse has rendered many commonly used antibiotics ineffective and increasingly harmful.

Celebrating Scientific Excellence

Prof. Yeboah-Manu highlighted several major achievements by NMIMR scientists in 2025.

In January, Prof. Daniel Boakye received the Lifetime Achievement Award Kyelem Prize, and later, on November 9, 2025, was named an ASTMH Distinguished International Fellow for his contribution to ending neglected tropical diseases.

In April 2025, Prof. George Armah was elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). He was also honoured with the Rotavirus Champion Award at the 15th International Rotavirus Symposium in Cape Town emerging as Africa’s only recipient of the award.

The Director noted that these recognitions underscore NMIMR’s status as a “trailblazer in global health”.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of NMIMR’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), the first IRB established in Ghana reinforcing the Institute’s longstanding commitment to ethical, high-quality scientific research.

Since 2023, NMIMR has trained over 1,500 individuals, including PhDs and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom are now leading research across Africa.

The Institute has also secured approval to launch its own MPhil and PhD programmes in One Health, with the first cohort beginning in January 2026. This milestone strengthens Ghana’s capacity to address emerging health challenges through integrated and multidisciplinary research.

Maintaining Global Diagnostic Standards

Prof. Yeboah-Manu announced that NMIMR has successfully maintained its ISO 15189:2022 accreditation following recent surveillance audits, reaffirming the global quality of its diagnostic services.

Additional processes within the Institute’s expanded diagnostic scope are also being prepared for accreditation.

She stressed that NMIMR remains a key responder to health emergencies in Ghana and across Africa.

The 2025 Annual Research Meeting, themed “Advancing Healthcare Through Impactful Research and Innovation,” showcased the breadth and depth of NMIMR’s research ecosystem.

This year, the Institute received a record 313 abstract submissions, out of which 310 were accepted for presentation 37 oral presentations and 273 poster sessions.

The research topics span: Infectious and non-communicable diseases, Maternal and neonatal health, Mental health, Climate change, Health systems, strengthening, Point-of-care

Prof. Yeboah-Manu described the submissions as a reflection of NMIMR’s growing influence and the quality of research collaborations happening both locally and internationally.

With the upcoming acquisition of the DVA DNA testing device, Ghana is poised to significantly enhance its forensic and diagnostic capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign laboratories during critical health and security emergencies.

The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s scientific infrastructure, noting that investment in institutions like NMIMR remains central to advancing national health security and scientific innovation.

Source: 3news.com