Governance & Leadership
Dr. Kenneth Frimpong
A renowned oriented biotechnical professional, clinical embryologist and forensic DNA expert. He is the founder and CEO of ‘The City of Hope’ Medical Complex, a multispecialty medical and research facility with a vision to providing world class molecular medicine in Ghana and West Africa.
The Centre focuses on infertility, oncology, sickle cell and diabetes. As the Lead Embryologist for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), he trains supervises assistant embryologist as well as supervising scientists for ICSI, embryo biopsy and genetic analyses.
He was the Consultant, Forensic Science Laboratory, Ghana Police Service (2010 – 2013) providing consultative technical expertise on genetics, DNA and molecular forensics to the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory and to the Police Administration. Among others, he led the recruitment, training and supervision of managers and technicians for the DNA Fingerprinting Laboratory; provided expertise on the technical layout, furnishing and equipping of the DNA Fingerprinting laboratory; trained all DNA Analysts of the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Ghana Police Service among others.
Dr. Frimpong was also an Adjunct Lecturer, Human Biology, University of Cape Coast (2010). Among his experience, he is also the Founder and CEO, Scientellect DNA and Medical Laboratory (2008 – present). Scientellect is a genetic and DNA diagnostics company providing prenatal genetic screening and DNA services to hospitals, universities and research organizations in Ghana and the West Africa sub-region. They partnered with Tema Women’s Hospital to conduct the first diagnostic DNA Prenatal Sickle Cell Test in Ghana. Other services include paternity tests for the Judiciary Services of Ghana.
As Research and Development Manager (2002 – 2007) at Invitrogen Corporation, Dr. Frimpong was responsible for hiring, training, supervision, development and retention of scientific staff. He actively directed technology strategies and co-directed product placement strategies.
He holds a Certificate in “Hands on Training in ART’ (2014) from the Embryology Academy for Research and Training, Mumbai, India; Fellow, Virology and Gene Therapy Vectors, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine (1998 – 2002); Post-doctoral Fellow, Virology and Gene Therapy Vectors (1993/94, 1997/98). Other qualifications include Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (1993) from Purdue University, USA; a BA, Biology (1986) from Brandeis University, USA.
Dr. Charlene F. Barroga
Dr. Barroga is a Molecular & Stem Cell Biologist & Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, and is a Professional Nonclinical Toxicology & Regulatory Consultant, advising Biopharmaceutical companies on Drug Development and Regulatory requirements according to the ICH guidance and requirements of the US FDA and AUS/Asian Regulatory Agencies. Dr. Barroga was formerly an Executive Director of Nonclinical Development & Pharmacology-Toxicology Division at Samumed (now Biosplice Therapeutics, Inc.), a company she established, leading Drug Development of small molecule drugs in 12 programs in Oncology, Osteoarthritis (OA), Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), and topical diseases like Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), Tendinopathy and Psoriasis.
She led the discovery/development of 8 INDs (Investigational New Drugs) filed at the US FDA and AUS TGA Regulatory Agencies. Her expertise is in the conduct of nonclinical studies, Risk:Benefit assessment of new small molecule drugs, estimation of potential human risks and safety margins, FIH (first-in-human) dose for clinical trials and authoring/review of Regulatory documents.
Dr. Barroga obtained her Bachelors in Ag Chemistry at the Univ of the Philippines in 1984, graduating cum laude. In her 4th year, spurred by her love of Organic Chemistry and fascination of chemical reactions, Dr. Barroga took courses in Genetics and Molecular Biology to understand more deeply the molecular mechanisms of life. After college and while waiting for opportunities in the US, she taught Biochemistry, General and Organic Chemistry in the Chemistry Department for 2 years, and Biology Lab in the Biology Department.
She went to Purdue University, Indiana, USA to pursue her PhD in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. After her PhD, she pursued Postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute in San Diego, CA, under Dr. Inder Verma, working on NF-kB/IkB. Around that time (~1994-1996), Drs. Inder Verma and Didier Trono at the Salk Institute were pioneering the use of HIV as lentiviral vectors for Gene Therapy, and they are now known as the Fathers of Gene Therapy. She continued her scientific research at the UCSD School of Medicine & Moores Cancer Center, on HIV molecular pathogenesis and Lentiviral vectors, Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) differentiation, the Wnt signaling pathway and hematologic cancers such as AML, CML, MDS and PV. In 2008, Dr. Barroga established Samumed as Director of Preclinical Biology, developed Samumed’s proprietary assay & discovered the novel kinase targets CLK and DYRK.
In 2012, transitioned as Toxicologist and was Board-certified by the American Board of Toxicology in 2019. Dr. Barroga is a scientist with over 25 years of research on molecular mechanisms of signaling, stem cell biology and drug development. She is an executive leader in the pharmaceutical industry. She is a prolific author and inventor, with several scientific research papers and several patents.
Henry Antwi (FAusIMM)
Mr. Henry Antwi who is the Founder and Sponsor of the Tarkwa AusIMM Chapter, is an Australian based Mining Engineer and Mineral Economist with a demonstrated history of working in the mining and metals industry. His work experience is reflective of his education in its diversity. He started his career as Official Learner at the then Ashanti Goldfields, Obuasi Mine (now part of the AngloGold Ashanti Group) prior to gaining company sponsorship to pursue Mining Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Mines (now University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana) and Camborne School of Mines, England. During his working period with Ashanti Goldfields in Ghana, he participated in exchange attachments with Datamine International in London and Campbell Red Lake Mine in Canada. He later left the Ashanti Mine to take on a Teaching Assistant role while pursuing Masters’ Degree at the Colorado School of Mines, USA. He also studied Business Administration at Curtin University in Australia.
He has traveled quite extensively and worked in various roles in Ghana, United States, England, Canada, Australia and the Sultanate of Oman spanning from mining engineering, mineral
economics, operational improvement, consulting, mineral processing, mergers and acquisitions, mining policy and investment analysis. Some of the companies he has worked include Ashanti Goldfields, Ghana; BHP – the world’s largest mining company – in their US and Australia operations; Campbell Red Lake Mine Canada; AME Mineral Economics, Australia; Runge Consulting, Australia; Thiess Ltd, Australia; Sedgman Ltd, Australia; Oman Oil Company and Minerals Development Oman.
Mr. Antwi was invited by the UONGOZI Institute as one of the experts to participate in Regional Forum on “Enhancing Value Addition in the Extractive Sector in Africa” and provided technical guidance to the Government of Ghana Project Delivery Team at the office of the Vice President on the development of Bauxite – Alumina Project in Ghana. He has served on various Executive Committees and Boards in Canada, Australia, Sultanate of Oman and Ghana mainly in Mining and Metals but recently accepted a Board role in Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology.
Mr. Antwi is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (the AusIMM) and a recipient of the AusIMM 2021 Resources Sector Award for his contribution to the global mining sector, mentorship of professionals, many of whom are in management positions across the world, and his advisory support to various governments.
He has written a number of papers including co-author of Chapter 41 – Mine Business Planning and Management of the Australasian Coal Mining Practice, Monograph 12, AusIMM, Australia. In an effort to share his career experience, he has published a book “Navigating Career Challenges in the International Mining Industry; The Journey of a Mining Engineer (October 2020). During his visits to Ghana, he makes time to provide lectures at the University of Mines and Technology.
Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong Manso
Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso was born on 15th March 1959. He had his Secondary School education at the Osei Tutu Senior High School, where he obtained his GCE ordinary level certificate. He proceeded to the Southern Ghana Bible College, and obtained a Diploma in Biblical Studies. He holds two (2) other Diplomas in Theology from Mattersey Hall and University of Cambridge, both in the United Kingdom. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Sheffield, U.K, a certificate in Advanced Leadership from Haggai Institute for Advanced Leadership Training, Hawaii, and a PhD degree in Theology from the University of Wales, U.K. He was appointed as Professor of Ministry by the Global University (U.S.A) in 2017.
Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso has been a Pastor of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, for over thirty (30) years, and has risen through the ranks from a Local Church Pastor to District Pastor, to Regional Superintendent, and currently General Superintendent. As General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, God has and still uses him to reposition the church to become one of the key Christian denominations in Ghana.
In Public Life and Corporate Governance, Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso has and still serves on several Boards, Banking Institutions, Insurance Companies, and Church Councils. Currently, he is the President of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), the Chairman for the Ghana Evangelism Committee (GEC) the Executive Secretary to the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA). He also serves as Chairman of the Small Alms and Light Weapons Commission of the Republic of Ghana, a Member of Electoral Commission Board of Eminent Advisors, a member of the National Peace Council and last but not the least, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Ghana.
He is an effective communicator, a visionary leader, good listener, team Player, pragmatic and incredibly proactive.
Ben Adu Gyan, PhD
Ben Adu Gyan PhD, is Associate Professor in Immunology and Microbiology. He received his BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology from the University of Ghana in 1985. In 1994 he graduated with MSc degree in Parasitology from the Karolinska Institute and PhD in Immunology from Stockholm University, Sweden in 2002. Dr. Gyan was appointed Research fellow in 1996. His research career initially started with malaria immunology and later extending to the more general fields of immunology and preclinical research. The key focus of his research over the years is the search for markers or molecules and their mechanisms in the pathogenesis of malaria and other diseases. His background in parasite immunology has provided him with the opportunity to conduct research into a number of endemic tropical diseases as well as non-communicable diseases in Ghana in the advancement of public health. His research has contributed to understanding of the role of endothelial progenitor cells in pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. In the past couple of years Dr. Gyan has extended his interest into studies in preeclampsia, arterial stiffness in diabetes and hypertension due to increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Africa. He has also conducted studies to understand the role of malaria in Burkitts lymphoma which is endemic in malaria transmission areas.
His role in malaria vaccine research include investigator role in the Phase Ib trial of the EBA-175 RII-NG vaccine in Ghana. He is also an investigator/expert and a member of Malaria Vaccine Working Group, a consortium guiding the study development plan for the immunology ancillary studies of the RTSS, S malaria vaccine. He is involved in networking and capacity building in malaria pathogenesis in Africa. The outcome of these initiatives include the establishment of the Malaria Pathogenesis Consortium in 2006. As Coordinator for Internship programs until recently, Dr. Gyan played key roles in training of students and young scientist. He played a key role in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded postdoctoral training program at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. The programme was the first of its kind in Africa in the training of biomedical research leaders to advance their careers in biomedical research. He is also spearheading the establishment of a Global Health Training Program in at NMIMR. He has 100 peer-reviewed publications to his credit.
Dr. Gyan has been associated with the establishment of Thrivus Institute since its conception. He brings on board several years of experience in postgraduate teaching and mentoring as well as research in biomedical sciences. He sees Thrivus Institute nurturing the next generation of young African scientists who strive to make advances in various fields of translational research and hub in building critical capacity of health professionals in reproductive health and gene therapy.
Ms. Mishine Kônojilembay
Ms. Mishine Kônojilembay is a multifaceted medical administrator with extensive background in hospital human resource and financial management as well as in medical case management. Kônoji, as she is affectionately called, has been pivotal in the establishment of three companies, namely, Scientellect DNA and Medical laboratory, City of Hope Hospital and Fertility Center and, Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology to financial stability.
Kônoji joined Scientellect DNA and Medical laboratory, at its inception, as an Executive Assistant in 2010. She rapidly progressed from her role as an Executive Assistant such that by 2013 she had added Financial Management and Human Resource responsibilities to her portfolio at the DNA laboratory.
Kônoji’s experience in Executive Assistantship as well as in Financial and Human Resource Management were heavily leveraged at the founding of City of Hope Hospital and Fertility Center in 2015. She is the Founding Executive Assistant and Human Resource Manager of the hospital and continues to guide the center by providing leadership in the hiring and retention of medical and non-medical staff and, in instituting best practices in project management and financial oversight. With keen interest in staff development, she has spearheaded staff training to the point of promoting personnel from within to management positions at City of Hope.
Her leadership in internal staff development has also made it possible for Kônoji to take on new additional challenges at the hospital. She has led the creation of an IVF Coordinator position at the hospital. As the IVF Coordinator, Kônoji ensures the smooth functioning of all IVF cases right from the clinical aspect through to the embryo transfer and post-transfer case management. The significant increase in on-time egg retrievals, embryo transfers and overall success rates at City of Hope Fertility Center can be attributed to her dedication to assisting families to find the missing angels of their homes through adherence to global best practices, quality control and patient-centric practices.
Ms. Kônoji has excellent communication and people skills together with extensive strategic planning capabilities. She is fluent in English and French. She holds an Associate degree in Marketing and an advanced diploma in Public Relations & Advertising.
Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong
Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong is an Associate Professor of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana. He holds BSc in Biological Sciences, MSc in Clinical Microbiology and PhD in Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy from University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and China Pharmaceutical University, respectively.
Prof. Acheampong has successfully mentored/supervised a number of PhD and MPhil candidates in the areas of clinical microbiology, immunology and drug discovery. Most of these Mentees are now working as Lecturers and Research Fellows at reputable Universities and Medical Research Centres. Desmond has to his credit a patent for an immunotherapeutic agent he developed for cancer therapy. He has authored two books in microbiology and immunology, and published over 60 scientific articles in the area of microbiology, immunology and drug discovery in reputable journals with high impact factor. His research interest has mainly been on Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology (Immunotherapy/Immunohaematology), Antibody/Protein Engineering for diagnosis/therapy of Cancers and Infectious Diseases, and Drug discovery studies (Natural Products) targeted at Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
Prof. Acheampong has research collaboration with reputable international institutions such as Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Mie University, Japan, MS Intercollegiate Faculty of Toxicology Texas A&M University, College Station Texas, USA, and BASF SE, Germany. He has also secured a number of research grants/supports to support his research activities and graduate students training. Desmond is the Lead-Partner (Ecosystem Partner) for British Council sponsored Innovation for African University programme. Partners of the programme are St. Andrews University, UK and University of Health and Allied Health Sciences (UHAS), Ghana. As an academic, Prof. Acheampong has served and continue to serve as External Examiner for PhD and MPhil theses from sister universities, and Assessor for promotion of academic senior members of sister universities home and abroad. Additionally, he reviews grant proposals submitted to reputable institutions such as Medical Research Council (MRC), UK. Also, he serves as an Editorial Board Member/Associate Editor for a number of reputable journals.
Desmond is currently the Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, UCC, and has had the opportunity to serve as acting Dean for three months (1st August-31st October, 2020), and Vice-Dean from August, 2019 to July, 2021 prior to becoming the Dean in August, 2021. Desmond has previously served as Head, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, UCC, from August, 2017 to July, 2019. As Head of Department, Desmond led the Department to develop two new post-graduate programmes (PhD/MPhil in Immunology and Immunotherapy, and PhD/MPhil in Epidemiology) and completed the accreditation process for the programme PhD/MPhil Drug Discovery and Development.
Prof. Acheampong has served or continues to serve as chairman or member on a number of boards and committees locally (UCC), nationally and internationally. Notable among them are member, Governing Council, Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, Lashibi, Accra; member, Official Blog of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) ‘‘The Sentinel”; member, Academic Board, UCC; member, Graduate Studies Board, UCC; member, Academic Planning and Management Committee, UCC; member, College Health and Allied Sciences Board; UCC; member, Appointment and Promotion Committee, College of Health and Allied Sciences, UCC; Chairman, School of Allied Health Sciences Board, UCC; member, ad-hoc committee for the development of university’s research agenda for 2023-2027, UCC among others. He is a member of the following Professional institutions/bodies/scientific groups; Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), The Antibody Society (AS), International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), Immunological Society of Ghana and University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
Isaac Kofi Adu
Isaac Kofi Adu is the Chief Clinical embryologist at the ‘THE CHOSEN HOSPITAL AND FERTILITY CENTRE LTD’ Accra and KMC Fertility Unit Ltd Kumasi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology from University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. He went to Ahmedabad, India for Embryology Training at RAJJUU BANKER FOUNDATION. He Worked at Trust care Specialist Hospital and Fertility Centre in Kumasi for a decade. Later, he pursued master of Philosophy degree (MPhil) in Reproductive Physiology from KNUST School of Medical Sciences.
He is a member of the following associations: Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Ghana Association of Clinical Embryologists (GACE), Fertility Society of Ghana, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, Fertility Society of India, Fertility Society of Africa and South Africa.
He is currently working as director of the following companies: (Emvryo-Mitra Medical Services Ltd ACCRA, THE CHOSEN HOSPITAL AND FERTILITY CENTRE LTD, Accra, KMC Fertility Unit LTD, Kumasi. He is a a PhD student in Human embryology at Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, SRC President and student representative on the Thrivus Governing Council.
Mr. Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah
Mr. Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah a national of Ghana has over 25 years of professional experience in the field of international development and has comprehensive knowledge and expertise in a wide range of development issues. He is currently the UN Resident Coordinator for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Anthony also previously served as UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo (2014-2019) and in the Republic of Guinea (2010-2014).
Prior to his appointment as UN Resident Coordinator, Anthony also served in various positions in the UN Development Programme where he started as a Junior Economist in 1992, and progressed to Assistant Resident Representative in Angola, Special Assistant to the Regional Director for Africa in UNDP HQ, Deputy Resident Representative in Cote d’Ivoire and Country Director in Rwanda.
In all these positions he had overall responsibility for the coordination and operationalization of UNDP’s programmatic activities within the UN Delivering as One initiative and provided strong leadership in the design and implementation of the Country Office (CO) programmes and operational activities. Anthony has expertise in and has contributed to countries in various stages of development including those emerging from crisis, political transitions from military to civilian rule, LDCs as well as middle income countries.
Prior to joining the UN System in 1992 he worked in an investment bank in the United States, in the mutual funds sector, and with a focus on growing client wealth.
Mr. Ohemeng-Boamah holds both a master’s degree in International Economics and Finance, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. He has also studied at ESSEC Business School in Cergy-Pontoise, France. He is a Registered Financial Consultant and belongs to the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants.
Mr. Ohemeng-Boamah is fluent English, French and Portuguese in addition to his maternal language Asante/Twi and other Ghanaian languages.
Ms. Genevieve Wiredu
Ms. Genevieve Owiredu is the Registrar of Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, Lashibi, Accra, since April 2021.
Prior to her appointment, she was the Deputy Registrar (Faculty of Law) at the Mount Crest University College. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies, BMS (Hons) at the University of Cape Coast and she graduated with Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Human Resource Management from GIMPA. She has Diploma in Management Studies (DBS) from Takoradi Polytechnic, now Takoradi Technical University, Certificate in Administration and Management from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Institute of Data Processing Management (IMIS) UK respectively.
She worked with RREDA(Vodafone) Ltd Takoradi from 2013 to 2016 as the General Manager, Administration. She joined the University of Cape Coast, College of Distance Education (CODE) in October, 2016 to 2020 as a part time lecturer. She also worked with Western Castings Limited for number of years as administrative officer and later as ag Human Resource Manager. She also worked with Animens Industry as the Executive secretary to the Managing Director and also a teacher of New Snaps College, Takoradi. In sum she has several years of experience in management and administrations. Happy to be part of the Thrivus team.