Kofi Peter Amponsah Mensah has challenged Ghana’s next generation of biomedical scientists to focus on dementia research, warning that the disease is quietly eroding national knowledge and mentorship systems.
Speaking at the maiden graduation ceremony of Thrivus University for Biomedical Science and Technology, Dr Mensah described dementia as a growing threat that extends beyond individual health challenges.
He said the condition undermines families, institutions and societies by disrupting the transfer of knowledge, skills and experience from older generations to younger ones.
Sharing a personal experience, he recounted meeting a colleague of more than 30 years in Obuasi who could no longer recognise him because of dementia.
He warned that although the disease has traditionally been associated with older adults, increasing diagnoses among younger people make it an urgent area for scientific intervention.
Dr Mensah urged the university to consider advanced research programmes focused on dementia and pledged support for doctoral-level studies into the condition.
He argued that solving complex health challenges such as dementia could create new industries and economic opportunities for Ghanaian scientists.
Rather than relying solely on traditional employment opportunities, he encouraged graduates to build careers around solving major health problems.
According to him, local research into diseases affecting Ghanaians could position the country as a leader in medical innovation.
He also reminded graduates of the critical role science played during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing science as essential to human survival.
Dr Mensah called on the university to develop its biotechnology hub into a centre of excellence for research into dementia and other age-related diseases to protect Ghana’s future human capital.
