March 2025: A newly formed partnership between the Roslin Institute and the University of Ghana is set to enhance scientific collaboration in data science and animal health. This initiative aims to develop Ghanaian local expertise and foster long-term research connections between Scotland and Ghana.Experts will seek to address gaps in research capacity in Ghana, particularly in the analysis of animal movement and disease outbreaks that cause a significant economic burden, such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.They will do so by equipping local researchers with new analytical tools and techniques, including training in data science and genome sequencing. Capacity building Kicking off this partnership, researchers from the Roslin Institute and the Pirbright Institute organised two workshops in Accra, Ghana, attracting participants including academics, government officials and veterinarians from across the country.In one of the workshops, participants received hands-on training in genome sequencing techniques and bioinformatics tools to enhance diagnostic and outbreak response capabilities.The second workshop was designed to introduce novel tools and training. Attendees learned how these can be applied in various scenarios to support infectious disease outbreak control. Training focused on data analysis and disease modelling using Ghana’s national animal movement database to illustrate its practical use in informing disease control strategies. By fostering local expertise, the workshops aimed to reduce reliance on external resources and strengthen Ghana’s ability to respond effectively to animal disease outbreaks, experts explain. We hope this new partnership grows and lead to the provision of practical and evidence-based solutions to our shared concerns. Richard Abbiw PhD candidate, University of Ghana Collaborative research During their visit, the Roslin research team engaged with Ghanaian colleagues to identify priority research areas and explore avenues for securing long-term funding. This has resulted in plans for Ghanaian researchers to visit the Roslin Institute in the coming months, where experts will work on joint research projects working with data collected in Ghana.The initiative has also garnered support at the national level, with Ghana’s Chief Veterinary Officer expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration and its potential impact on evidence-based policymaking in the country’s animal health sector. Looking ahead, both institutions are keen to expand our collaboration, seeking further funding to sustain and scale up our efforts. With strong institutional backing and a growing network of researchers, this partnership marks an important step towards strengthening scientific ties between Ghana and Scotland, ultimately improving global disease response and research capacity. Lina González Gordon Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Roslin Institute One Health impact This collaboration takes a One Health approach, recognising the interconnectedness of animal, human and environmental health. By improving disease surveillance and data analysis capacity in Ghana, the partnership aims to contribute not only to animal health but also to food security and public health efforts.The workshops were led by the Roslin Institute’s Division of Epidemiology, delivered in collaboration with the Accra Veterinary Laboratory and the University of Ghana, alongside experts from the Pirbright Institute and the University of Glasgow.This initiative is funded by the University of Edinburgh through the 2024/2025 Partnerships Fund and supported by the Scottish Funding Council ISPF. This partnership is built on mutual trust and shared goals. By working closely with our Ghanaian colleagues, we hope to establish sustainable research initiatives that will have lasting benefits for both animal and public health. Bram van Bunnik Core scientist, Roslin Institute Related links Roslin InstituteUniversity of GhanaPirbright InstituteInternational Science Partnerships Fund Publication date 20 Mar, 2025
