NAVRONGO HEALTH RESEARCH CENTRE (NHRC) - Key Persons
Aaron Kampim is a Public Health Specialist with over a decade of experience in health programs and research. He holds a Master's degree in Public Health from the Vrije Universiteit, Royal Tropical Institute in the Netherlands, with a specialization in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Aaron's career has focused extensively on maternal and child health, health systems research, and strengthening health systems.
Agyekum Ansong is a Research Officer with a focus on study coordination and field management, specializing in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Medical Pharmacology, Agyekum is committed to advancing public health research, particularly in malaria drug and vaccine efficacy, as well as the clinical trials of new drugs and vaccines. His expertise encompasses overseeing daily study activities, training and supervising field staff, and ensuring the precise completion and review of case report forms.
Agyekum's research interests include drug and vaccine safety, efficacy, and toxicology; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; drug and vaccine discovery and development; and clinical pharmacology and pharmacovigilance. With a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of pharmacology, he is passionate about enhancing community-based health interventions and advancing safe, effective health solutions through clinical trials.
In his work, Agyekum combines meticulous attention to detail with a commitment to data accuracy and ethical practices. His contributions to public health research are driven by a goal to improve health outcomes through innovative, evidence-based interventions.
Ali Moro is a Senior Research Officer with a robust background in public health research and a focused expertise in environmental health. Over his 8 years in the health research field, Mr. Moro has worked on diverse health projects, including maternal health, malaria prevalence, health quality assessments, and stress studies. Since 2017, he has directed his research toward exploring the effects of environmental factors on human health, especially concerning vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries.
Bernice Baako is a research officer in medical entomology with over seven years of experience at the Navrongo Health Research Centre.
Her work centers on vector-borne diseases, aiming to reduce the burden of these diseases in Africa by studying vectors of medical significance. Since 2017, Bernice has been deeply involved in research on vectors linked to dengue, malaria, tick-borne pathogens, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, all of which are significant public health concerns. Her contributions are reflected in six published studies that explore disease vectors and their control.
Bernice's expertise includes vector identification, molecular analysis, and insecticide resistance assays. She has led fabric integrity tests on insecticide-treated nets and indoor insecticide-resistant assays, and she oversees the breeding of both susceptible and wild mosquito strains. Her technical skills and in-depth research have equipped her to provide insights that are critical for health policies in Ghana and beyond.
As a young scientist, Bernice is committed to advancing vector-borne disease research to improve public health outcomes. She also aims to inspire other young women to pursue careers in science, particularly in entomology, helping to bridge gender gaps in scientific research. Through her work, she hopes to make a lasting impact on health policy and disease prevention in Africa.
Job Titles:
- Board Member of the STANDARD Newspapers
- the Communication Officer
Clement Minyila is the Communication Officer responsible for documenting and disseminating the activities of the Navrongo Health Research Centre and building beneficial links through effective internal and external communication. He holds a Diploma in Cinematography from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and a BA in Social Science from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He also obtained a Licentiate (MA) in communication from the Gregorian University, Rome in 2005.
Clement is a Board member of the STANDARD Newspapers and Magazines Ltd., a national weekly of the Catholic Church in Ghana and a Board member/Secretary of the Nabiina Community Radio in Navrongo.
Job Titles:
- Health Information Officer and Data Manager With over Three Decades
Cletus Tindana is an experienced Health Information Officer and Data Manager with over three decades at the Navrongo Health Research Centre (NHRC).
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Scientist
Deborah Narwortey is a Senior Research Scientist at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, renowned for her expertise in infectious diseases, particularly in vaccine-preventable respiratory bacterial pathogens of public health importance.
Desmond Agao is an environmental scientist with over 7 years of experience in conducting research, and implementing intervention projects aimed at Air pollution reduction, climate change impact reduction and Environmental Health sustainability.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Professional in Ghana
Dr. Anthony Hama is a professional in Ghana's pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors with over 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs, clinical trials, business development, and project management. Holding a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and an Executive MBA from the Paris Graduate School of Management, Dr. Hama combines clinical expertise with strategic leadership.
Currently, Dr. Hama is the Project Manager at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, where he directs the Ghana component of the African Covid-19 Vaccine Safety Surveillance (ACVaSS) project. Sponsored by GAVI and partnered with the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) and African Leadership in Vaccinology Expertise (Alive), this initiative underscores Dr. Hama's commitment to advancing vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance in Africa.
Dr. Hama's expertise extends to pre- and post-market regulatory lifecycle management, where he has served as a consultant on global projects. Notably, he contributed to a Global Fund project to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems in Sénégal and Mozambique, developing innovative training curricula to build capacity within national regulatory bodies. His comprehensive knowledge in vaccine safety, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory processes has made him a key figure in healthcare, dedicated to enhancing product safety and public health outcomes.
Through his research, Dr. Nonterah has developed expertise in assessing the impact of malnutrition and climate change on public health, particularly in low-resource settings. His insights support both evidence-based interventions and policy development to address health risks associated with environmental factors.
Job Titles:
- Senior Medical Officer at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, Reno
Dr. Lucy Osei Ababio is a Senior Medical Officer at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, renowned for her exceptional contributions to Public Health through cutting-edge research and clinical trials.
Her work focuses on advancing healthcare innovations, particularly in infectious diseases, vaccine efficacy, and the management of chronic conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease.
In her role, Dr. Osei Ababio provides vital medical care to research participants, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout trials. She leads multidisciplinary research studies, designs protocols, and authors manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Her academic rigor and dedication to sharing knowledge are evident in her mentorship of research assistants and students, as well as her community outreach efforts to educate the public on pressing health issues.
Dr. Osei Ababio has contributed significantly to several groundbreaking studies, including:
Evaluating the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in adults.
Participating in a Phase 1 trial of a Lassa virus vaccine in healthy adults.
Researching the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of anti-malarial agents in both children and adults.
Leading malaria vaccine studies to combat one of the world's most challenging public health threats.
A notable achievement in her career is her work on Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Osei Ababio spearheaded an implementation study to integrate point-of-care testing (POCT) technology into primary healthcare, facilitating the diagnosis and care of over 600 newborns with Sickle Cell Disease. She also established the Sickle Cell Clinic at War Memorial Hospital, providing counseling and care to more than 180 patients, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Osei Ababio earned her medical degree from the University for Development Studies and is currently pursuing an MSc in Clinical Trials at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, further enhancing her expertise in advancing global health research.
Her work exemplifies a synergy of clinical excellence, research innovation, and a passion for mentorship, positioning her as a pivotal figure in Public Health, Clinical Trials, Sickle Cell Disease research, and Vaccine Development.
Job Titles:
- Public Health Specialist and Head of the Clinical Science Department
Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah is a Public Health Specialist and Head of the Clinical Science Department at the Navrongo Health Research Centre.
With over 18 years of experience in clinical trials and epidemiology research, Dr. Nana Ansah has led policy informing studies and vaccine trials, focusing extensively on infectious diseases.
Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah's research includes epidemiological studies on malaria, clinical trials of malaria treatments, and multi-phase vaccine trials (Phases 2, 3, and 4) for diseases such as cervical cancer, meningitis, rotavirus, malaria, and Covid-19. As a Principal Investigator for the first cervical cancer vaccine trial in Africa, Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah's work was instrumental in pioneering cervical cancer vaccination on the continent. Additionally, as Co-Principal Investigator on Africa's first rotavirus vaccine trial, her contributions helped secure licensing for the rotavirus vaccine in Africa. She also served as the Safety and Pharmacovigilance Officer for the MenAfriVac vaccine, guiding the successful incorporation of this critical vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) after infant safety trials.
Throughout her career, Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah has been deeply involved in monitoring adverse events and pharmacovigilance, actively training medical and nonmedical staff on safety protocols for vaccines and infectious disease control. In recent years, her work has expanded to include the surveillance of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) and adverse events of special interest (AESIs), especially related to the RTSS malaria vaccine pilot introduction in Northern Ghana.
Currently, Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah leads a Covid-19 vaccine trial in Ghana, cementing his commitment to advancing vaccine research and disease control in Africa.
Edith Dambayi is a Senior Research Officer at the Navrongo Health Research Centre where she plays a pivotal role in advancing health research, particularly in mental health interventions. Currently, Edith is part of a dedicated research team piloting a mental health intervention program aimed at adolescents in Senior Secondary Schools within the Kassena Nankana districts, located in the Upper East Region of Ghana.