About Us

Overview

RAPiD-VBP (Responsible AI for Predicting Vector-Borne Viral Pathogens) is a research project led by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in collaboration with international and local partners.

The project focuses on the development of a robust public health surveillance framework that integrates artificial intelligence with field-based data to detect and predict vector-borne viral zoonotic pathogens.

Our History

RAPiD-VBP was established as a multidisciplinary research initiative to address gaps in early detection and prediction of vector-borne viral zoonotic diseases through the responsible application of artificial intelligence.

Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen public health surveillance by developing ethical, data-driven AI tools that support early warning, prediction, and informed decision-making for vector-borne viral threats.

Who we are

We are a collaborative team of public health researchers, data scientists, and interdisciplinary partners working to advance responsible AI solutions for disease surveillance and preparedness.

Project Rationale

RAPiD-VBP addresses these gaps by:

AI-Enabled Data Integration

RAPiD-VBP applies artificial intelligence to integrate and analyze complex data from multiple sources, enabling patterns and signals to be identified that are often missed by traditional surveillance systems.

Enhanced Vector and Environmental Surveillance

The project strengthens surveillance by incorporating vector monitoring and key environmental drivers, improving understanding of how ecological and climatic factors influence disease emergence.

Early Risk Identification and Prediction

By focusing on predictive analysis, RAPiD-VBP supports early identification of potential disease risks, allowing public health responses to shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention.

Our vision is to strengthen public health preparedness by responsibly harnessing artificial intelligence to anticipate vector-borne disease risks early, support informed decision-making, and protect communities before outbreaks occur.

Prof. Kingsley Badu

Principal Investigator

This project gives our community confidence that disease risks can be identified earlier, helping health authorities respond before outbreaks affect families and livelihoods.

Community Member

Initiatives such as RAPiD-VBP are critical to strengthening national and regional disease surveillance by supporting early detection, informed decision-making, and improved preparedness for emerging public health threats.