On the 21st of February 2025, a delegation from International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) - Ghana chapter and Syreon Research Africa paid a courtesy visit to the College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to formally introduce themselves and discuss potential collaborations, particularly in the field of research.
Dr. Ernest Attuquaye, the President of ISPOR - Ghana, shared that the organization has been in existence since 2011. He highlighted that ISPOR is the leading professional society globally for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). ISPOR has made significant contributions to health, ecosystem, and policy research, which includes efforts that led to the establishment of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) secretariat.
Dr. Ernest Attuquaye further emphasized that Syreon Research Institute had sponsored ISPOR -Ghana’s research program a few weeks prior, establishing an ongoing partnership between the two organizations. Both ISPOR -Ghana and Syreon Research Africa are now looking forward to exploring collaboration opportunities with KNUST's College of Health Sciences, particularly in the areas of health economics and outcomes research.
Speaking on behalf of Syreon Research Institute, Dr. Marcell Csmal, the Managing Director of Syreon Research Africa explained that Syreon has been providing expert services in evidence synthesis, health economics, health policy, and public health since 2008. The institute also conducts training for public health care institutions, the pharmaceutical sector, and health services organizations.
The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, warmly welcomed the collaboration. He expressed the College's eagerness to work together, aiming to enhance research outputs that will inform decision-making, particularly at the policy level. “The College looks forward to the signing of an MOU and having common areas to research on to train the manpower we will need and enhancing research output that will inform decision making that is very key, especially at the policy level,” he said.
Professor Christian Agyare also encouraged Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour the Dean of the KNUST School of Public Health to take the lead in facilitating the signing of the MOU. Professor Agyei-Baffour, who is also a member of ISPOR -Ghana, agreed that the visit was well-timed. He added, “This partnership aligns perfectly with the College's current objectives, especially with the new programs we are looking to roll out. I am confident that this collaboration will be beneficial for all parties involved and contribute positively to global research in health economics and outcomes.”
