Syreon is exploring research opportunities in Ghana

Syreon Research Institute is dedicated to promoting evidence-based health policy in developing countries. To explore research opportunities in Africa our team recently had a 10-day visit to Accra, Ghana. Thanks to our long-term relationship with former students, we were able to attend several meetings with a wide range of local experts, organize a scientific symposium and explore the opportunities for establishing an African research unit. 

 

The delegation included our CEO, Zoltán Kaló, human resource manager, Krisztina Tóth, a principal researcher, György Széles and a senior researcher, Marcell Csanádi. Our team was also welcomed and supported by the Embassy of Hungary in Accra and by H.E. Tamás Fehér, the Ambassador of Hungary. 

 

We had successful and productive meetings with the following people:  

 

• H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, who served as the President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009. He shared his wisdom and highlighted the need for improving evidence-based decision making in healthcare. 
• Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health and his team. He welcomed opportunities to create partnerships for research supporting health policy and capacity building.  
• At the National Health Insurance Fund, we met with Vivian Addo Cobbiah (Deputy Chief Executive), Dr Francis Asenso Boadi (Director of Provider Payment) and Ben Kusi (Director of Membership and Regional Operations). They expressed interest in collaborating in different research areas and opportunities for education and training for their staff.  
• Dr Francis Chisaka Kasolo, the WHO country representative for Ghana and his team. He welcomed our ambitions, and we discussed potential joint research projects.  
• Dr Emmanuel Sarkodie, a chief haematologist from 37 Military Hospital in Accra. We agreed to continue our research collaboration focusing on how to improve patient access to therapies in the field of haematology.  
• At the University of Ghana, we met Prof. Kwasi Torpey, the dean of the School of Public Health and his team. We agreed to explore research opportunities where the university and our institution can join forces.  
• Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, the rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He shared an interest in establishing educational training programs for public servants focusing on evidence-based decision making.  
   

Pictures of these meetings can be found below: 

 

John Agyekum Kufuor the President of Ghana

 

H.E. Tamás Fehér and Dávid Békési from the Embassy of Hungary in Accra

 

Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health  

 

Vivian Addo Cobbiah, Dr Francis Asenso Boadi and Ben Kusi from the National Health Insurance Fund

 

Dr Francis Chisaka Kasolo, the WHO country representative for Ghana

 

Dr Emmanuel Sarkodie, a chief haematologist from 37 Military Hospital

 

Prof. Kwasi Torpey, the dean of the School of Public Health

 

Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, the rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)