Ashesi University is committed to advancing health and well-being across Africa through research, innovation, and leadership development. From tackling non-communicable diseases to improving access to essential healthcare services, our community works to strengthen health systems and empower professionals who drive change. Through collaborations with global partners, student-led innovations, and public health leadership training, Ashesi continues to contribute to a healthier, more resilient continent—where everyone has the opportunity to live well. 

Strengthening Health Systems: Ashesi’s Role in Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer have become silent drivers of ill health across West Africa, often going undetected until it’s too late. In response, Ashesi University is helping to change that narrative through the STOP-NCD Project, a multi-country partnership led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, with funding from the UK’s National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR). 

At Ashesi, faculty and students are contributing research and data tools that improve how NCDs are understood and managed. One such innovation [developed by alumnus Hudson Lekunze ’17] is a web-based app designed to support cancer data collection and patient tracking in Ghana. Through tools like these, communities and healthcare providers are gaining better insight into the burden of chronic diseases, helping guide treatment and prevention efforts. 

Ashesi’s participation in STOP-NCD also supports the training of local researchers and public health leaders to manage and evaluate NCD programs more effectively. By strengthening the capacity of health systems and advancing evidence-based care, Ashesi is contributing to a healthier, more resilient Africa; one that can better prevent and manage chronic disease. 

“The power of data and collaboration lies in how it connects lives,” says one Ashesi faculty researcher involved in the project. “Every insight we gather helps shape a future where fewer lives are lost to preventable illnesses.”