2024 Grant Awardees

I am an MPhil Food Science and Technology final-year postgraduate student at the University for Development Study in Tamale, Ghana. 

I am writing to convey my sincere appreciation for the African Interdisciplinary Research Institute's (AfIRI) Graduate Thesis Grant, which has enabled me to continue my research on the investigation and possible industrial usage of fonio (Digitaria exilis) flour. I am eager to work with AfIRI in the future and will keep them informed of my progress. 

I am a master's student researching the theme “Nasopharyngeal carriage, antibacterial resistance patterns, and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in diabetic patients of a diabetic clinic in a tertiary hospital in Ghana”. My project has been held back due to unavailable funds for procuring materials. Receiving this grant will facilitate the procurement of materials and completion of my thesis.

Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in zinc and iron, present significant public health challenges due to their crucial roles in reproductive health. My doctoral research aims to determine whether mangrove oysters provide adequate micronutrients to address these local deficiencies, especially among women in coastal communities. Oysters are vital for food and nutrition security for over 4,000 people, primarily women, in Ghanaian estuarine sites. However, securing sufficient funding for my doctoral training programme remains a challenge. The AfiRi grant would be instrumental in covering the remaining costs associated with test trips and the production of my thesis report.

I am very grateful for this thesis grant awarded to me by the African Interdisciplinary Research Institute, this will be used to partly cover the cost of my data collection. Primary data sourced from Ejura Sekyeduamse and Nkoranza North from 430 farmers will be used for my study, hence the need for financial resources. This grant will enable me to recruit more experienced enumerators for the collection of data and cover travel and accommodation expenses. This will go a long way to enhance the quality of my data and hence the quality of my research outcomes.