AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Prevention (AI4PEP) Ghana | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
At AI4PEP Ghana, our mission goes beyond cutting-edge research — it is about building the next generation of scientists, equipping them with the skills, tools, and international networks they need to drive meaningful change in public health across Africa. From hands-on laboratory training to cross-continental academic partnerships, our team continues to invest deeply in knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
4-Day Hands-On PCR & RT-PCR Workshop: Building Molecular Diagnostic Capacity at KNUST
One of our most recent milestones was the successful delivery of a 4-Day Hands-On PCR & RT-PCR Workshop, held at the KNUST Central Laboratory. The workshop brought together graduate students, researchers, and laboratory professionals for intensive practical training aimed at strengthening molecular diagnostic capacity in Ghana and across the sub-region.
This initiative represents exactly the kind of investment AI4PEP Ghana is committed to — not just in technology and data, but in people.
What the Workshop Covered
Participants received rigorous, hands-on training in:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques and applications in infectious disease diagnosis
- Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) methods for viral detection and molecular surveillance
- Laboratory safety, quality assurance, and best practices in molecular biology
- Practical data interpretation and result analysis
The training was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world laboratory application — an essential step for early-career scientists working in resource-limited settings.
Acknowledgements
The success of this workshop would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of many individuals and institutions.
We are deeply grateful to our facilitators, whose expertise, time, and commitment ensured that participants gained meaningful hands-on experience. Your guidance, mentorship, and willingness to share knowledge created a rich learning environment that greatly benefited all attendees.
To our collaborators and institutional partners — thank you. Your continued support and encouragement help make initiatives like this not only possible, but impactful.
To all the participants — thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and active engagement throughout the four days. Your thoughtful questions and dedication to learning made this training both dynamic and deeply rewarding.
Special thanks also go to the organising team and supporting staff whose tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured the smooth coordination and delivery of the programme.
Workshops like this underscore the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on training in advancing molecular research and diagnostic capacity — particularly for early-career scientists and graduate students who will shape the future of health research in Africa.
International Collaboration: AI4PEP Ghana and the University of Bremen, Germany
AI4PEP Ghana is proud to maintain strong international research partnerships that bring world-class expertise directly to our students and researchers. Our collaboration with professors from the University of Bremen, Germany — one of Europe’s leading research universities — has been a particularly enriching dimension of our work.
Through this partnership, our team has benefited from joint training sessions, research exchange, and the integration of advanced computational and AI methodologies into our infectious disease surveillance work. This collaboration reflects our belief that tackling Africa’s most pressing health challenges requires both homegrown talent and strong global partnerships.
Learn more about AI4PEP Ghana’s research mission, including our AI-driven mosquito surveillance work and pandemic preparedness initiatives, at the KNUST website and on the AI4PEP Ghana project page.
For more information, visit: https://www.knust.edu.gh