GHANA – The Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana (SCFG) has named globally renowned researcher and academician Professor Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah as its new President with immediate effect.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah brings to the table a wealth of experience in translational basic and clinical research in sickle cell disease (SCD) as well as major contributions to the management of sickle cell disease in Africa.
Prior to his new role, he was appointed Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences in the University of Ghana in 2017 and Director of the Center for Translational and International Hematology in the University of Pittsburgh in 2013.
He is a Professor of Medical Laboratory Science and an Associate Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics with a research interest in molecular hematology, endothelial barrier function, sickle cell disease and global health.
He has served on multiple national and international scientific and technical committees including National Technical Advisory Committee for Newborn Screening and African Health Diagnostic Platform Technical Committees under the Ghana Ministry of Health.
In addition, Professor Ofori-Acqua is the Founding Director of the West African Genetic Medicine Center, Program Director of the Sickle Cell Genomics of Africa Network and Director of the Ghanaian Genome Project.
He recently won a US$3 million research grant to sequence the whole genome DNA of children with SCD in Ghana which ultimately lead to the launch of the Ghanaian Genome Project and represented Africa at a high-level retreat held in the United States to develop strategies for gene-based cures for HIV and SCD.
Moreover, he is a respected global health researcher with a PHD in Molecular Genetics, holder of a Master’s Degree in Bio-molecular Organisation from the University of London besides being a member of the Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science in the United Kingdom.
The remarkable interests in sickle cell disease management and innovative therapy of acute complications of SCD demonstrated by the newly appointed president is expected to bring effective research capacity and strengthen SCFG management team.
During the transitioning event, Prof. Ofori-Acquah said he was honored to continue the development of resources to help improve the quality of life of people with SCD as well as grow the work started by the late former President Ohene-Frempong who he worked alongside for nearly 30 years.
He added: “I am grateful to the Board Members of the Foundation and the dedication of the whole team at SCFG. Together, I believe we will continue to advocate for quality healthcare and a supporting society for persons living with SCD in Ghana to bring transformative treatments to combat SCD in this country.”
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