According to ghana news agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Aziato, speaking at the 2025 UHAS Research Conference, advocated for collaborations that are culturally beneficial and fair, especially in transnational health projects. She stressed the importance of neutrality in both the design and implementation of these projects to ensure their effectiveness.
The conference, themed 'Global Health Resilience Emerging Threats, Policy Impacts and Sustainable Solutions,' gathered participants from 11 countries, including Switzerland and the UK. Prof. Aziato called for fostering robust partnerships between researchers, practitioners, and communities, while also promoting equitable transnational partnerships to build resilience.
Addressing technological impacts on health, she urged stakeholders to explore the potential of innovations like artificial intelligence and machine learning, while also addressing concerns such as screen addiction and its mental health implications, especially for young people. Prof. Aziato emphasized the importance of investing in healthcare's future through strong mentor-mentee relationships and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, she reiterated the need for sustainable health solutions focusing more on prevention rather than hospital-based care. She underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts between researchers and communities, taking into account social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.
Prof. Aziato highlighted UHAS's unique position in the country due to its all-health-related programs, advocating for broader regional collaborations, particularly with French-speaking researchers, in a south-south cooperation context. She also praised the conference's Organising Committee, chaired by Prof. Margaret Gyapong, for their commendable efforts.
Prof. Margaret Gyapong noted the evolution of the UHAS research conference from a small in-house event to a significant gathering with participants from across Africa, aspiring to become a West African and sub-Saharan African conference on Health and Allied Sciences.
UHAS has achieved notable rankings in Ghana for specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Times Higher Education rankings, excelling in good health and wellbeing, and decent work and economic growth, while planning a sub-Saharan African ranking next year.
The conference features sub-themes such as neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental change, public health, antimicrobial resistance, and innovation. It will also host a symposium on global health politics and discussions on mentorship for young researchers.
Prof. Alexander Ansah-Manu, Director of the Institute of Health Research, pointed out the dwindling global resources for research funding, advocating for national goals to drive research. He stated UHAS's commitment to advancing maternal and child health research, vital for human survival and livelihoods.
