The 2023/2024 National Service Personnel at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) marked the end of their service with a memorable NSP week celebration. The weeklong event kicked off with a cake-cutting ceremony and toast, setting the tone for an inspiring week celebration.
The second day featured a special seminar titled “Making Positive Impact and Being Agents of Change as Young Scientists: What Next? Navigating the Future Beyond National Service”
Mr. David Henodzi, President of the group in his remarks at the seminar commended the efforts of his colleagues and expressed the group’s profound gratitude to Management of the Institute for the support. “I would like to use this platform to thank you all for making it to this event. To Management, your support towards making this event come true is greatly appreciated. This event is intended to build our personal and professional growth as we move on”.
There were insightful talks by Prof. Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi, an Associate Professor at the Department of Immunology, Dr. Evelyn Yayra Bonney, a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Virology and Pastor Elliot Mensah, Founder and Leader of Kingdom Ambassador.
Dr. Evelyn Yayra Bonney delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “Work-Life Balance”. During the presentation, she emphasized that true fulfilment in life rests on three foundational pillars: knowledge of God, self-awareness, and understanding one’s purpose. She further highlighted the importance of balancing spiritual, family, professional, and social aspects of life and stressing on the need for prioritization, effective time management, and clarity of purpose.
Prof. Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi followed with an enlightening discussion on “Graduate School, Its Opportunities, and Career Planning”. He outlined essential steps for success, including pursuing graduate studies, crafting a professional CV/biotech profile, securing recommendation letters from mentors who they know very well to gain exposure and to seek employment.
Prof. Kusi also underscored the importance of consistency, passion, selectivity, and a volunteering spirit in achieving career goals.
Pastor Elliot Mensah followed with an inspiring presentation on “Life after National Service, Combining work life with our life with God’’. He addressed the challenges many believers encounter in balancing their work life with their spiritual and religious commitments and encouraged the service personnel to adapt to any working environment they find themselves in. The event provided a valuable platform for students to reflect on their personal and professional aspirations.
The group also demonstrated their commitment to social responsibility through a cleanup exercise at the Institute on September 18, 2024. The following day, they donated items such as washing detergents, clothes, and toiletries to the Hope Community Hospital and Orphanage in Gomoa Fetteh.
Dr. Akoto used the occasion to give a talk on infant feeding, educating NSPs, caregivers, and staff.
The celebration concluded with a farewell party at the Legon Botanical Gardens on September 20, 2024, where personnel bonded and reflected on their experiences at the Institute.