As part of activities marking the 60th Anniversary of the University of Cape Coast, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong delivered his Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Malaria Treatment Failures: What can we do?” The event took place at the School of Medical Sciences auditorium of the UCC on Friday, May 20th 2022. It is the first in the series of inaugural lectures being organized by the University of Cape Coast as part of activities to mark its 60th Anniversary celebration.

The inaugural lecture was graced by the Vice Chancellor’s family, former Vice Chancellors of the University, the University’s Governing Council, students, traditional leaders, Reverend Ministers, and Representatives of some Banks, among others. The President of the PSGH and PSGH-CR were also present to show their solidarity with an astute member of the Society.

Prof. Obeng Mireku who chaired the event and introduced Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, stressed the importance of inaugural lectures at the University of Cape Coast saying “inaugural lectures form a key part of the traditions of the University of Cape Coast and enable the University’s newly promoted professors to showcase to the University wide audience their research or perspectives on issues of interest to them.” He noted that the inaugural lecture series provides a platform for newly promoted professors to contribute to the academic life of the University.

He added that although Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong was promoted to the rank of professor in 2016, the inaugural lecture offered the VC the opportunity to celebrate the important personal milestone with a broader audience. As part of the inaugural lecture, Professor Nyarko Boampong was disrobed, robed and enrolled into the College of Professors.

Profile of Pharm. Prof. J.N. Boampong

Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong is a Pharmacist and Biomedical Scientist. He became Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences after completing his three-year term as the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, all in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He headed the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences for five years prior to becoming the Dean. He led the Department to establish the following programmes; Certificate in Herbal Medicine, B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences, B.Sc. Forensic Sciences and, MPhil and PhD in Drug Discovery and Toxicology. He also promoted the establishment of a functional Laboratory to advance research in the School of Biological Sciences. As Dean, he ensured the renovation and refurbishment of other laboratories, planting of new seedlings in the Botanical Garden and enhanced International collaborations. As Provost, he has enthusiastically championed the establishment of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which will run the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) Programme.

Prof Boampong’s research interests cover multidisciplinary areas, a reflection of his diverse professional training in the area of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy. These include parasitic diseases, drug resistant parasites, drug discovery and targeted drug delivery. He has more than fifty publications in peer-reviewed Journals. He is a fellow and also a member of the Academic Board of the Ghana College of Pharmacists.

Prof. Boampong has taught Parasitology and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate (M.Phil and PhD) students with diverse backgrounds. Some of the students he trained have been appointed as lecturers in universities in Ghana and elsewhere. He has mentored many lecturers. He is also an external examiner to other universities in Ghana.

Prof. Boampong is a product of Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Japan, where he obtained his PhD in Tropical Medicine (2004-2007) as a Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) scholar. He did his post-doctorate research at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India as a CV Raman Scholar (2011). He also obtained his M. Phil degree in Zoology (Applied Parasitology) from the University of Ghana (1995-1999). He has a B. Pharm degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (1997-2001) and, a B.Sc. degree and Dip. Ed (1988-1992) from the University of Cape Coast. He has taken many other professional courses abroad and has presented his research findings at different international conferences. He is a member of many international and local professional associations. Through his entrepreneurial acumen, he has been able to practise his profession successfully and has been consulted widely on community pharmacy practice. He established Biomeid Pharmacia, a Community Pharmacy that provides pharmaceutical services to the University community. He is a proprietor of Creative Academy situated at Mpeasem, a Suburb of Cape Coast. He believes that universities should serve as engines of economic growth and development by building the mindset of students and creating an environment where students will be able to practice what they learn.