Author Aid Ghana Hub trains 40 psychiatry and medical professionals in research, scientific writing
Author AID Ghana hub has trained 40 medical professionals to conduct impactful systematic and policy-directed research.
The beneficiaries made up of clinical psychiatrists and medical professionals were given the necessary skills to conduct quality research.
Author AID Ghana hub is an initiative by the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Psychiatry unit in collaboration with the research and development unit and datA consulting.
The Author AID Ghana Hub is a robust electronic platform facilitated by seasoned Ghanaian researchers.
The hub which was originally intended to assist medical professionals has been extended to other fields of profession.
Trainees were taken through courses such as research proposal, ethical clearance, CV development for research clearance, and plagiarism.
Dr. Pearl Adu Nyarko, an Author Aid awardee and a psychiatrist at KATH believes incorporating research courses into education curricula can whip up interest in research.
“Africa contributes to 12 percent of the world’s population but unfortunately we contribute less than 1 percent to the total pool of knowledge in terms of research. Our GDP commits less than 1 percent precisely 0.42 percent into research, below the Global average for financing research.
“There is research going on but it’s not enough. We covid coming up, the whole world is woken up to the fact that we need to beef up research. Author Aid Ghana hub is now going to Open up and allow anybody who is interested in learning about research, the country can roll it into modular training for all the tertiary institutions. Possibly, in senior high school,” she said.
Dr. Caleb Ottu Ansah, facilitator of the Author aid Ghana hub was happy with the improvement in participants’ research interest.
“Many of them didn’t have any interest in research; they didn’t understand when to research, what really goes into it. We encouraged as many people to come on board and when that happened we realized that their knowledge gaps were gradually filled. As they asked questions, we helped clarify, as the other materials recommended are outside of the module, they gathered more understanding so I think their appetite for research has been stimulated,” he explained.
Dr. Eugene Oppong Kyere, a beneficiary of Author Aid Ghana believes the newly-found knowledge will impact his current and future endeavors.
“I am currently undertaking an MPHIL which is a pure research activity and it was more of an eye opener. I have developed a new concept and a new idea in terms of research. We took a course in research proposal, how to systematically write a research proposal and ethical clearance, developing a CV for research clearance, target general, plagiarism and how going forward we can avoid generals that can serve as predator generals,” he stated.
The culmination of the program included unveiling of Author Aid Ghana Hub Logo, mission statement, mentorship and collaboration network frame, and inauguration of executives.
Source: Ghana News
