Ghana Science Association (GSA) in collaboration with College of Science (CoS-KNUST) and National Sports Authority (NSA) organized GSA Webinar 2020 which is the 9th GSA Research Seminar and Poster Presentations on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th July, 2020.
The Webinar was themed: Using Science, Technology and Innovation in the Current Pandemic and Beyond.
The Webinar which was via Zoom was chaired by Prof. Leonard K. Amekudzi, Provost, CoS-KNUST whereas Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director-General, NSA served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The MC, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Fondjo expressed her appreciation to all participants for attending the webinar and also gave highlights on the organizers of the webinar as well as introducing the theme of the webinar. The conference started off with an opening address by the Chair of the LOC, Dr. Kingsley Badu who commended the strong leadership and initiative demonstrated by African scientists in the face of the global pandemic. He noted the conference has provided a platform for participants to share and learn about contributions of the Ghanaian science community towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic and also admonished scientist to use the opportunity to collaborate and expand their networks.
Dr. Jacob K. Agbenorhevi (President – GSA Kumasi Branch) gave his opening address on behalf of the GSA Kumasi branch executives. He welcomed all the participants on board and gave brief history of the conferences held by the GSA. He pointed out that the COVID -19 pandemic had given the scientific community the golden opportunity to harness their potential through critical thinking and research. He encouraged every scientist to join the Ghana Science Association (GSA) and was optimistic about set goals of the webinar being achieved
Prof. Nathaniel Owusu Boadi (GSA- National Secretary ) spoke on behalf of the National President.
He congratulated the Kumasi Branch on being resilient and organizing the webinar in spite of the pandemic. He elaborated on the importance of science and especially, technology since the webinar was made possible as a result of technological advancements.
Prof. Leonard K. Amekudzi, Provost of the College of Science was the chairman of the conference. He noted how the pandemic had impacted the world and how the webinar was timely and how the pandemic created an opportunity for scientists to contribute their quota to combating the virus.
The special Guest of Honour, Prof. Peter Twumasi noted that there was a challenge with applying knowledge churned out by scientists. He elaborated on the potential of local industries to develop innovative ideas to solve local problems without having to depend on foreign industries. He ended by encouraging collaborations between the Ghana Sports Association and the Ghana Science Association.
They were presentations by keynote speakers on the various sub-themes as well are presentations by scientists, researchers and students who submitted abstracts.
Keynote Presentations:
- A case for field deployable, rapid molecular tests for community surveillance: Dr. Michael Frimpong
- Using African-led molecular epidemiological, sero-epidemiological studies and antiviral drug evaluation as a capacity-development primer for future outbreaks: Dr. Peter Quarshie
- Evidence Based COVID-19 Decisions: The role of modeling: Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah
- Preventive solution in public gathering and sporting activities: Mr. Jeffery Owusu Manzan
- Nutrition recommendation for COVID-19: Dr. Reginald Adjetey Annan
- What doesn't kill you makes you stronger Genetics of COVID-19 Impact on Health: Dr. Samson Pandam Salifu
- The quest for technological solutions in education during the pandemic: Mr. Emmanuel Mfum Mensah
- Doing Sports in a pandemic era: How Science can help: Ms. Philipinna Frimpong
- Face masks in Africa, luxury or necessity: Dr. Kingsley Badu
Prize awards were given to deserving presenters in both the oral and poster presentation categories. The top three (3) departments and authors with the highest number of abstracts presented were also recognized.
The Prize Award Winners were as follows:
ABSTRACTS (HIGHEST CONTRIBUTIONS)
1st Prize Award Winner: Department of Food Science and Technology
(FST-KNUST)
2nd Prize Award Winner: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry-KNUST
3rd Prize Award Winner: Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology (TAB-KNUST)
AUTHOR (HIGHEST CONTRIBUTIONS):
1st Prize Award Winner: Dr. (Mrs.) Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu (FST-KNUST)
2nd Prize Award Winner: Prof. Ibok Nsa Oduro (FST-KNUST)
2nd Prize Award Winner: Dr. Jacob K. Agbenorhevi (FST-KNUST)
BEST ORAL PRESENTER:
1st Prize Award Winner: Alexandrina A. Tsimese (FST-KNUST)
1st Prize Award Winner: Deborah Yennupini Maalug (TAB-KNUST)
1st Prize Award Winner: Emmanuel Owusu Poku (Dept. of Optometry & Visual Science)
BEST POSTER PRESENTER:
1st Prize Award Winner: Joshua Baidoo Allotey (FST-KNUST)
2nd Prize Award Winner: Esther Gyebi Baah (FST-KNUST)
3rd Prize Award Winner: Lorretta Oduro (FST-KNUST)
4th Prize Award Winner: Ruby Mars (FST-KNUST)
5th Prize Award Winner: Stephen Opoku Afriyie (TAB).
The Department of Food Science and Technology (FST-KNUST) emerged the Overall Best Department with the highest number of abstracts (33 out of 61) presented at in the GSA Webinar 2020. The top (3) authors with the highest number of abstracts were also from FST-KNUST. One Best Oral Presenter and four (4) out of five (5) Best Poster Presenters were also from FST-KNUST. Two other Best Oral presenters were from TAB-KNUST and Department of Optometry & Visual Science. The fifth Poster Prize Award winner was from TAB-KNUST.
The two-day webinar was very exciting and educative. Over 300 registered whereby over 170 participated on each day. Electronic Certificate of Participation was presented to interested Participants.
Read more at: http://www.ghanasciencekumasi.org/gsa-webinar-2020.html
