University of Ghana

Overview

The ARPPIS Sub-regional programme of Western Africa, hosted by the University of Ghana started operations in 1992 when its initial class of seven (7) MSc scholars joined the programme. The programme is run through support from a number of development partners such as DAAD and the Royal Government of the Netherlands. The Insect Science Programme provides an international course for the training of Entomologists at the Masters degree level for the West African Sub-region.

The programme is administered as a joint interfaculty course between the School of Agriculture and the Faculty of Science, with Crop Science and Zoology as the main collaborating Departments. Scientists from various departments and Institutes of the University also participate in teaching and supervision of students, including the:

Institute of Agricultural Research of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS);
Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Science and
Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR).

In addition, the following National Institutes/Agencies are also collaborating by providing experts to teach and supervise students at the programme:

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Oil Palm Research Institute Kusi, Kade
CSIR – Crop Research Institute Kumasi
CSIR - Savannah Agricultural Research Institute
Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute

Activities

In the first year, students registered under the programme take the following courses:

Systematics
Agricultural Pests
Functional Morphology of Insects
Insecticide Science; Insect Physiology and
Biochemistry

In addition, each student selected one elective course from the following three elective courses:

Disease vectors of Medical and Veterinary Importance;
Stored Products Entomology and
Forest Entomology

The second year of the MSc programme is devoted to thesis research, thesis writing, seminar presentations and submission of thesis for examination.

Commissioning of the ARPPIS Building: October 2006

university_of_ghana

The icipe-DG’s speech began by acknowledging the presence of the dignitaries who had graced the commissioning ceremony. He went on to outline icipe’s capacity building activities on the continent, especially citing that it was gratifying to note that most of the ARPPIS graduates have remained to work within the continent. His lauded the UG of Ghana and the Government of Ghana for the importance they have attached to the training provided under the ARPPIS programme.

Not only is the new ARPPIS Building expected to assist in producing entomologists who would only look at insects from the pest viewpoint but who would also recognise the important role played by all insects in maintaining biodiversity.

Contact Person

Prof. Kwame Afreh-Nuamah
Coordinator, ARPPIS Sub-Regional Centre
c/o University of Ghana
Faculty of Agriculture
Dept of Crop Sciences
P.O. Box 44 LEGON,
Accra, Ghana
Email: knuamah@ug.edu.gh
Website: www.ug.edu.gh