The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) held a farewell ceremony on 30th July 2026 to honour Prof. Richard Odame Phillips for his nine years of dedicated service as Scientific Director.
Prof. Phillips assumed the role of Scientific Director in 2017 and has since played a pivotal role in advancing KCCR’s vision as a leading biomedical research institution in Africa. Under his leadership, the Centre strengthened its research portfolio across infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, neglected tropical diseases, and global health. He championed capacity building by mentoring young scientists, expanding postgraduate research training, and fostering a culture of scientific excellence.
The event brought together staff, collaborators, researchers, and partners to celebrate Prof. Phillips’ visionary leadership and remarkable contributions to advancing biomedical research, strengthening international collaborations, and positioning KCCR as a leading research institution in Ghana and beyond.
Tributes and farewell messages were delivered by Prof. Jürgen May, Chairman of the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM); Prof. Christian Agyare, Incoming Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); Prof. Stephen Fred Sarfo, Incoming Provost of the College of Health Sciences; Dr. Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, Director of University Health Services, Principal Investigators and Research Group Leaders; and Prof. Alexander Debrah, who officially assumes office as KCCR’s Scientific Director on 1st August 2026.
As KCCR marks the end of an important chapter, the Centre extends its sincere gratitude to Prof. Richard Odame Phillips for his invaluable service and wishes him every success in his future endeavours, while warmly welcoming Prof. Alexander Debrah as the incoming Scientific Director.
