MODEC, partners commit $250,000 to medical research in Ghana

MODEC, Inc. together with other partners has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, committing $250,000 towards health science research in Ghana.

This significant donation is specifically in support of the AMED J-Grid Project, a research collaboration between Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU).

MODEC and its partners namely, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (“MOL”), Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”) and Mitsui E&S Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui E&S”) are jointly carrying out a long-term charter business for FPSO Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, deployed at the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (“TEN”) fields offshore Ghana.

According to Prof. Abraham Kwabena Anang, Director NMIMR, University of Ghana, this is the first ever business donation of its kind to the research project in Ghana. He explained that while NMIMR is a strategically important institute for health protection and delivery, corporate sponsorship was almost non-existent.

“The donation by MODEC and partners is significant, meaningful, and very welcomed. It also fits with our goals of developing global partners”, he emphasised.

The AMED J-GRID project focuses on research into 3 main areas: i. Research into Diarrheal Diseases (the 2nd cause of hospital admission of children below 5 years in Ghana) ii. Research into Dengue Fever (carried by the mosquito vector with high infection risk in Ghana) and iii. Research on Ghanaian medicinal plants for the treatment of parasitic diseases such as Malaria, Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis.

The disbursement of the funds will be for the purchase of essential research reagents and advanced equipment that will strengthen research in terms of accuracy and impact. The funds will help to broaden the sample size and quality of the various researches. It will also help to carry out more pre-clinical and clinical trials (for the parasitic diseases) and expand surveillance sites in Ghana for comprehensive data collection.

“The funds can accommodate local needs and identified public health concerns” said Ms. Mitsuko Ohashi, the Manager of the AMED J-GRID project.

The Fund Partners (MODEC, Mitsui, Marubeni, MOL & Mitsui E&S) bring world class Japanese technology to their work on the TEN fields. As Japanese companies, the partners believe that supporting medical research in Ghana further builds alignment between Japan and Ghana. The research will help with the development of treatments that will improve the health of Ghanaians and save lives.

“We are confident that the funds will be used assiduously and look forward to a long-lasting partnership with NMIMR, University of Ghana” remarked Mr. Kwabena Kwadade, Legal and Compliance Manager of MODEC subsidiary company in Ghana.

The disbursement of the funds takes effect immediately. A summary research report shall be provided to the donors after the end of the fiscal year.