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KNUST–Ulster University Global Health Partnership
The partnership between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana and Ulster University in Northern Ireland was established in 2021 through CWPAMS 1.5 funding. What began as a collaboration focused on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has evolved into a vibrant, strategic alliance for global health improvement and mutual learning. Facilitated by a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the institutions and supported by Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET), the initiative has become a model of equitable North–South collaboration. The shared goal is simple but powerful: to improve the quality and safety of healthcare delivery by strengthening AMS systems and clinical pharmacy services in Ghana, while simultaneously building global health expertise within the UK.
A core strength of this partnership lies in the committed and collaborative team driving it forward. At KNUST University Hospital an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Committee was formally established. The AMS committee is led by Dr Obed Amponsah (Clinical Pharmacist and AMS Champion) and Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng (Consultant Physician and Academic) in Kumasi. Together, they have embedded stewardship principles into hospital practice across health disciplines. Working closely with academic colleagues from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ulster University including Dr Aaron Courtenay & Dr Ahmed Abuelhana, and Consultant AMS Pharmacist Jaquie Hanley (Western Health and Scoial Care Trust Northern Ireland. The team have co-developed interventions, training sessions, and data-driven evaluations tailored to local needs.
Key Achievements
The partnership has led to the successful implementation and scaling of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme at KNUST University Hospital, introducing practices such as audit and feedback, prescribing reviews, and clinician education. Capacity building has been a central focus with tailored training delivered to multidisciplinary teams. This has included pharmacists, physicians and nurses embedding a whole-systems approach to stewardship. This work has generated two major research outputs: Amponsah et al. (2023), published in JAC–Antimicrobial Resistance, which evaluated the impact of AMS implementation at a district hospital in Ghana using the health partnership model; and Courtenay et al. (2023), presented at international conferences, which detailed the co-development of the AMS programme at KNUST.
The programme’s success has secured further rounds of CWPAMS funding (2.0 and 2.5), enabling its expansion to additional hospitals across Ghana and supporting a growing network of AMS champions through mentorship and continued collaboration.
Impact and Future Vision
This partnership is more than a project, it is a long-term alliance rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose. It has improved antimicrobial prescribing practices, reduced unnecessary antibiotic use, and empowered healthcare professionals to take ownership of stewardship efforts. As the work continues, the team is exploring the integration of digital tools, expanded regional training hubs, and even the development of a postgraduate AMS education module at KNUST. This collaboration has not only strengthened systems in Ghana but also influenced the global health engagement strategy of Ulster University embedding international partnerships into education, research and professional development.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at KNUST University Hospital in Kumasi
