The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in collaboration with Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, launched a mentorship workshop for researchers and administrative staff at the Institute on June 15, 2023 at the Institute’s Conference Hall.
The mentorship workshop on the theme “Mentoring the Next Generation of the Biomedical Research Workforce in Ghana to Enhance Research Productivity”, is a dynamic initiative designed to support the professional development of researchers and administrative staff of the Institute.
Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, NMIMR
Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, NMIMR in her opening remarks, emphasized the need for capacity building of both research and administrative staff.
According to her, mentoring will pave way for the advancement of staff at different levels in the Institute. She explained that this means working with both scientists, and the administrative staff.
“Our goal will be to ensure that every member of staff has the opportunity to grow professionally towards their career aspirations. Scientific mentorship is a symbiotic relationship between an experienced scientist and an aspiration scientist. It is a relationship that transcends the hierarchy to ensure easy flow of communication professors and research assistants and administrators and janitors and the vice versa. That is what we want to promote at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research”, Prof. Yeboah-Manu added.
Prof. Jonathan Stiles, Chairperson, NMIMR International Advisory Board
Prof. Jonathan Stiles, Chairperson, NMIMR International Advisory Board in his introductory message explained that mentoring must be seen as a continuous journey between the mentor and the mentee. This, he said requires promoting good interpersonal relationships between both the mentor and the mentee.
“Mentoring is not something you do for a short period of time. As a mentee, you will always have a mentor and as a mentor, you will always have a mentee. It is a two-way street. There is the need to engage each other in an active learning format which provides a platform on how best to help both the mentee and the mentor to grow professionally”, Prof. Stiles said.
Mentoring session
Mentees at the workshop
The mentees expressed their appreciation to the Management of the Institute and the Morehouse School of Medicine for the opportunity given them. The first batch of mentees are Ms. Gifty Wemakor , Mr. Bernard Aniakwo Logonia , Ms. Afia Adoma Boakye, Dr.Dorotheah Obiri ,Dr.Benedicta Mensah ,Dr. Sellase Pi-Bansa ,Dr.Justice Kumi ,Dr.Evelyn Yayra Bonney ,Dr.Kwabena Owusu Danquah ,Dr. Belinda Lartey ,Dr. Helena Lamptey and Mrs. Sena Matrevi Subsequently, more mentees and mentors will be added on to build on the mentorship efforts of the institute.
Cross-section view of audience at the launch