Three fellows from Afrique One-ASPIRE engaged in COVID screening in Ghana. They are Dr Gloria Ivy Mensah, and two PhD students, Samuel Ofori Addo and Vida Adjei. They all work in the department of bacteriology at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana and volunteered to bring support to staff in the virology department, when asked by the Director of the institute.

The task of Dr Gloria Mensah and her two colleagues consists of sorting the samples which involves matching of sputum and swabs received for the tests with the corresponding forms and recording details in the laboratory book for referencing.

They also assist with sample processing which includes adding saline to the samples, mixing aliquot into cryovials and pooling for RNA extraction.

COVID-19 testing started out with the staff of the virology department of the institute because it is a viral disease. However, due to the large number of samples received, the service has been strengthened by volunteers among whom are our fellows.

In this pandemic, Ghana is one of the most affected countries in West Africa, right behind Cote d’Ivoire.