The programme for the event featured a research showcase highlighting health-related research from both Ghana and Sheffield, an interactive sandpit workshop exploring key health challenges and collaboration opportunities in Ghana, and two short training courses on AI for Health and Biomechanics for Health.
Insigneo research theme director for Healthcare data/AI, Dr Ning Ma from the School of Computer Science, said, “The visit was a great success, with excellent engagement from colleagues and students at the University of Ghana. The workshop created a valuable platform for sharing expertise and identifying common research priorities. We are excited about the opportunities this has opened up to build a long-term partnership between the University of Sheffield and the University of Ghana, particularly in the areas of AI and engineering for health that address global health challenges.”
Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, commented, “The workshop in Accra was truly enlightening and insightful, organised to meet the individual needs of the diverse group of participants.
“The workshop was technically sound, culturally adaptable and used locally identified problems as the basis for developing potential solutions. We would indeed be keen to have further opportunities to build on the valuable foundation laid”
These activities have been supported by the University of Sheffield’s Global Engagement Partnership Development Fund, which funds collaboration with the University’s strategic international partners.
Our partnership with the University of Ghana
International partnerships are central to the University of Sheffield’s global strategy, with the University of Ghana identified as one of a small number of priority institutional partners worldwide. Sheffield has been developing a long-term bilateral partnership with the University of Ghana since 2017.
As part of the growing partnership, Professor Patrick Amoateng and Dr Claude Fiifi Hayford have visited the University of Sheffield’s Neuroscience Institute and the Insigneo Institute this week. Dr Hayford is an Insigneo alumnus, having completed his PhD at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Participant feedback
Feedback from the event at the University of Ghana has been very positive, and the Insigneo team are looking forward to building on the connections made during the visit.
Elvis Kwabena Asare Nkrumah, Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of Ghana, said: “What an inspiring week it was at the Ghana-Sheffield AI/Engineering for Health Workshop in Accra.
“I had the opportunity to learn, engage, and connect with brilliant researchers working at the intersection of AI, engineering, and health during the Ghana–Sheffield AI/Engineering for Health Workshop. The discussions were insightful, the sessions were practical, and the collaborative spirit in the room was incredibly energising. Through the short course on AI for healthcare, I deepened my knowledge of Ghana’s healthcare system, while others shared current challenges the system faces.
“As someone interested in AI and Machine Learning for Healthcare, this workshop was a major step forward. I gained valuable perspectives, tools, and ideas that will shape the next phase of my journey, from conversational AI in healthcare to how robotics is revolutionizing healthcare.”
Nasara Sualiha Abdul-Lateef, Biomedical Engineer at Offin Healthcare, said, "I almost missed one of the most impactful rooms I’ve been in this year.
“My supervisor invited me to a workshop on AI for Health and Biomechanics for Health… and somehow, I hadn’t even noticed it was happening. I decided to just show up.
“Best decision.
“Day 1 featured presentations from the University of Sheffield and the University of Ghana. I was drawn to the smart insole research and the work on FSHD. And the robotics presentations? Way interesting than I expected.
“Day 2, the sandpit, was my favorite. We introduced ourselves and openly shared the challenges we face before breaking into discussions. That shift made everything more real. It wasn’t just research. It was problem-solving.
“Now the workshops.
“Almost everyone went into AI for Health.
“Me? Biomechanics for Health… duhhh.
“And I loved it.
“I found myself speaking up more than usual: suggesting ideas, questioning things, thinking out loud. It made me realise how essential it is for biomedical engineers to engage directly with clinicians. We can’t design in silos.
“Huge appreciation to the teams from the University of Ghana and the University of Sheffield for putting this together.
“Now I’m thinking: I need to be in more rooms like this. Because that’s where growth, and real impact, happens."
