The Pan-African Mosquito Control Association – Ghana Chapter (PAMCA-GH) held its Maiden Conference in Accra, bringing together vector control professionals, AI researchers, entomologists, and climate scientists from across Ghana and beyond. The three-day conference, hosted at the Golden Bean Hotel, was a celebration of local expertise, global collaboration, and scientific innovation in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
🧬 A Platform for Innovation and Impact
The conference saw remarkable contributions from researchers representing institutions such as Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, White Paper, and other national and international stakeholders. The event created a unique platform to explore how Ghanaian research is responding to the intersecting challenges of vector control, climate change, and artificial intelligence.
Featured Presentations from AI4PEP Ghana Team
Nutifafa Yao Agbenor-Efunam
Presentation: Mosquito-Track AI Sensor: An AI-Driven Bioacoustics and Climate Monitoring System Tailored for Mosquito Surveillance and Tracking
Nutifafa introduced a cutting-edge AI sensor that combines bioacoustics and climate data for real-time mosquito monitoring. The system shows promise in enhancing Ghana’s surveillance capacity using AI-powered, field-deployable tools that can support both early warning and rapid response.
Alice Lakyiere Bagyiereyele
Presentation: Morphometric Analysis of Mosquito Wings and Bodies for Species Classification Using Machine Learning
Alice, an MPhil candidate and emerging voice in AI-for-health research, shared her work on using deep learning and CNN models to classify mosquitoes based on morphometric features. Her approach is tailored for low-resource environments, aiming to provide accurate, efficient vector identification for national programs.
Dr. Edmund I. Yamba
Presentation: Climate-Driven Changes in Seasonal Malaria Transmission in Ghana: Timings, Spatial Variation, and Future Changes
Dr. Yamba addressed how changing climate patterns are driving shifts in mosquito distribution and malaria transmission in Ghana. His insights underscored the need for climate-smart vector control strategies, highlighting the urgency of interdisciplinary research that bridges climate science, health, and data systems.
Dr. Kingsley Badu
One of the pivotal figures of the conference was Dr. Kingsley Badu, the Principal Investigator (PI) of the AI4PEP Ghana project. Dr. Badu served as Chairman of one of the key technical sessions, moderating discussions on AI-driven biosurveillance, cross-sector data integration, and the development of real-time vector tracking tools. His leadership in the field continues to push the boundaries of what is possible when AI meets epidemiology.
This national gathering reflects a growing movement to position Ghana as a leader in AI-for-health innovation. With the participation of institutions, ministries, and international partners, the conference served not just as a showcase of research, but as a call to action to bridge the gap between data, decision-making, and disease prevention.
The PAMCA-GH Maiden Conference is a testament to the growing strength and visibility of Ghana’s scientific community in global health innovation. Through local talent, international collaboration, and the bold integration of AI into traditional research fields, Ghana is charting a new course in mosquito surveillance, climate response, and public health systems.
As we reflect on the ideas and momentum generated at this conference, it becomes clear: the fight against malaria and vector-borne diseases will not be won by technology alone but by empowering the researchers, institutions, and communities leading the charge.