The Africa Health Collaborative at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (AHC-KNUST), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the Capstone Project, has launched the University’s maiden Implementation Science Programme to build Ghana’s next generation of evidence-driven health professionals.
The five-day programme, hosted by the School of Public Health, is designed to equip postgraduate students with the skills to translate research evidence into effective policies and real-world interventions.
Speaking on behalf of the Dean, Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour, Professor Kofi Akohene Mensah described the initiative as “a strategic investment in building scientists, policymakers, and practitioners capable of closing the persistent gap between evidence and practice.” He said the collaboration behind the programme aligns with KNUST’s mission to shape context-driven solutions to Africa’s health challenges.
Prof. Mensah noted the growing importance of implementation science as African countries confront infectious diseases, maternal health gaps, and rising non-communicable diseases. “Evidence alone is not enough, it must be implemented effectively, sustainably, and equitably,” he said, urging participants to engage the course with curiosity and purpose.
Addressing the 27 participants drawn from across the country, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, Principal Investigator of the Africa Health Collaborative, expressed confidence in the programme faculty, which includes experts from KNUST and international partners from the University Medical Centre, DETRACT, and the University of Washington.
He assured participants that they were “in the hands of excellent and experienced faculty who will deliver this programme in a way you will understand and implement over time.” He added that the programme aims not merely to provide credentials but to strengthen evidence-based practice and accelerate research uptake across health systems on the continent.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 era, Prof. Owusu-Dabo advised: “Don’t just pick the certificate and stop there. Go back to your communities and institutions and put your learning into practice.”
Professor Arti Singh, Principal Investigator of the Capstone Project, also underscored the critical role of implementation science in transforming research findings into policies and systems that communities and health structures can adopt.