Professor Alexander Yaw Debrah, The group leader of the Filariasis research has been awarded the prestigious EDCTP Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi Prize 2025. The award was announced and presented on 15th June 2025 at the Kigali, Rwanda Convention centre.
This prize recognizes Professor Debrah’s exceptional achievements in advancing global health research and capacity development across Africa, significantly impacting the well-being of the African population, particularly those suffering from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Named after EDCTP’s first High Representative and former Prime Minister of Mozambique, Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi, the prize honors individuals who have made unique contributions to promoting Africa-Europe partnerships in global health research, facilitating clinical development of products for poverty-related diseases, and advancing research capacity development in sub-Saharan Africa. Open to senior scientists, policymakers, or health advocates worldwide, the award includes a recognition trophy and a cash prize of €50,000.
Professor Debrah has led numerous basic and complex clinical research projects in Ghana, including clinical trials aimed at finding better drugs for treating lymphatic filariasis and river blindness.
He has forged strong research partnerships with international institutions such as the University of Bonn, Germany; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; Case Western Reserve University, USA; University of Buea, Cameroon; and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Tanzania.
He also directs TAKeOFF, a multi-country consortium funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research, dedicated to overcoming obstacles in fighting filarial infections in Ghana, Tanzania, and Cameroon.
He has successfully attracted grants exceeding €15,000,000 from major funders, including the EDCTP, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission, and the German Ministry of Education and Research. Notably, together with partners from KNUST and Germany, Professor Debrah secured funds from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to establish the German-West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention (G-WAC) at KNUST.
His presentations focused on tackling obstacles in fighting filarial infections and podoconiosis, and on how North-South research collaborations contribute to SDG target 3 for healthy lives.
Professor Debrah has over 160 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
“Professor Debrah’s dedication to global health research and capacity building embodies the spirit of the Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi Prize,” said Marcel Tanner, EDCTP High Representative and President of the Swiss Academy of Arts and Sciences. “We are honoured to recognize his outstanding contributions.”
