Ucc Engages Stakeholders on Snake Anti-Venom Research and Vaccine Development

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof Denis W. Aheto, has hosted a delegation from the National Vaccine Institute, Centre for Plant Medicine Research, GIZ, Ghana Forestry Commission, and Atlantic Lifesciences to explore collaboration with UCC’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS).

The local production of anti-snake venom forms part of the objective of the government to make Ghana the hub of vaccine manufacturing in Africa.

The meeting focused on establishing a snake farm (serpentarium) to produce local antivenom. This is to reduce the fatal outcomes of snake bites because of limited access to life-saving antivenoms.

In his remarks, Prof. Aheto indicated the readiness of UCC, through the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, to partner with stakeholders to establish the snake farm.

He said the production of anti-snake venom locally would enhance public health in the country. He said snake bites were a public health burden in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Lifesciences, Dhananjay Tripathi, said snake bite was a neglected condition that had plagued many people, especially those in rural areas.

He said Atlantic Lifesciences was a major player in the importation of anti-snake venom but decided in 2017 to start the local production as part of its drive to boost the Ghanaian economy.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr. Faisal Nuhu, emphasised the mandate of NVI to ensure the affordability, quality, and accessibility of vaccines in the country, including the anti-snake venom.

Mr. Enoch Ashie, the Acting Head of the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission, and Mr. David Acheampong, Technical Advisor at GIZ, also welcomed the collaboration and expressed their commitment to supporting the partnership.

For his part, the Dean of SoPPS, Prof. Ernest Obese, indicated that the School had developed a curriculum for MSc/MPhil/PhD in Vaccinology and had engaged Atlantic Lifesciences to support its implementation.

He lauded Atlantic Lifesciences Limited and other stakeholders for the partnership to help resolve a critical emergency health issue.

As part of the engagement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the University of Cape Coast and Atlantic Lifesciences to collaborate to train undergraduate and postgraduate students in Pharmacy Education and vaccine production.

Present at the meeting were the Registrar, Mr. Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye; Prof. Elvis Ofori Ameyaw, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy and Mrs. Esther Bema Nimo, Faculty officer of SoPPS. Other members of the team were Prof. Mawuli K. Gyakobo, Ms. Effie Lens-Squire, Prof. Robert Peter Biney, and Dr. Emmanuel Tweneboah.

Source: Documentation and Information Section - UCC