The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has once again demonstrated its long-standing commitment to advancing science in Africa with the successful hosting of the third Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) training workshop at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
The week-long workshop brought together 15 carefully selected scientists from across the continent, chosen from over 100 highly qualified applicants. The program is part of a decade-long collaboration between the RSC, African universities, and international partners aimed at bridging the instrumentation gap in African science and strengthening the skills of young researchers.
Speaking at the opening, Prof. Johannes Akpabla Mawuli Awudza, a representative from KNUST expressed deep gratitude to the RSC, describing its support as “something we deeply treasure.” He noted that the society’s contributions to African science span over 10 years, with training covering advanced techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), and LCMS.
“Through these programs, more than 130 scientists across Africa have been trained to handle sophisticated instruments that are essential for cutting-edge research,” he said. “This training empowers participants to generate data critical for breakthroughs in environmental monitoring, drug development, food safety, and beyond.”
The workshop featured expert facilitators, including Dr. Giles Edwards from the University of Manchester, Prof. Ray Bright-Voigbolo from KNUST, Dr. Emmanuel Osei-Chun from the University of Ghana, and Dr. Genevieve Abipok from the University of Cape Coast. These scientists volunteered their time and expertise, training participants in both theory and practical applications of LCMS, including result interpretation and troubleshooting.
The program forms part of the Pan-African Chemistry Network (PACN), launched by the RSC in 2008 with support from Syngenta, and later expanded through collaborations with institutions such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Since its inception, PACN has invested over £2 million in capacity-building, training nearly 500 African scientists in advanced analytical techniques. Ghana became one of the four PACN training hubs in 2016, alongside Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Organizers emphasized that the workshop is not merely an academic exercise but a hands-on experience intended to build practical skills that can be applied directly to research and teaching. Participants were urged to pass on the knowledge gained to colleagues and students in their home institutions, multiplying the impact of the training across the continent.
Prof. Ray Bright-Voegborlo motivated the delegates by stressing the economic potential of the skills they were acquiring:
“The training you are receiving here is not only academic. These skills can open doors for research, consultancy, and industry. Chemistry does not only make scientists — it creates problem-solvers and innovators who can also earn a livelihood.”
The LCMS instrument used in the training, valued at approximately £400,000 when new, was made available through international partnerships and donations. Trainers encouraged participants to build confidence in handling such sophisticated equipment and to advocate for greater institutional investment in modern instrumentation.
In his remarks, Dr. Giles Edwards, who also runs a charity that donates mass spectrometers to universities worldwide, encouraged African scientists to apply for instrument grants and to maintain collaborative networks formed during the workshop.
“This program is about leveling the playing field,” he said. “Everyone deserves access to the tools that drive scientific progress.”
The workshop openning ended with a call for sustainability. With funding increasingly limited, organizers urged participants to become ambassadors for the program, share their knowledge widely, and advocate for more local and international support.
