Dr. John Amuasi, the Executive Director for the African Researchers Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, underscored the importance of equitable collaborations and partnerships for African researchers. He urged researchers to negotiate and prioritize equitable collaborations to effectively tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the African context.
Dr. Amuasi emphasized that African researchers have more power than they realize and encouraged them not to shy away from negotiating to ensure that collaborations are reciprocal. He highlighted the opportunities within the local context that can be leveraged to combat NTDs effectively.
The World NTD Day celebration, themed “Unite.Act.Eliminate”, brought together experts to discuss strategies to amplify influence in the NTD space in Africa, despite limited resources. The event saw significant participation from 26 different countries, with a strong presence from Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
One of the key discussions at the event was the importance of fostering meaningful collaborations to enhance the impact of NTD research and transcending geographical boundaries for a united front against these diseases.
Dr. Akua Obeng Forson, Head of Medical Laboratory Sciences Department at the University of Ghana, stressed the significance of fostering local partnerships and collaborations to unlock Africa’s research potential. She emphasized the importance of addressing challenges, leveraging opportunities, and implementing best practices to drive meaningful scientific advancements in the region.
The role of leadership in NTD research was also a focal point at the event, with Dr. Anthony Afum-Adjei Awuah, a Scientific Officer for the ARNTD, highlighting the vital role of mentorship in the early careers of NTD researchers. Dr. Awuah emphasized that effective leadership in research requires self-governance, discipline, and discipleship, and underscored the need for experienced mentorship to navigate the pitfalls and gain invaluable lessons.
Overall, the event shed light on the potential that African researchers possess and the need to prioritize equitable collaborations and partnerships to drive meaningful advancements in NTD research. By leveraging local potential and fostering meaningful collaborations, African researchers can contribute to global innovation and tackle NTDs effectively in their local context.
