The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has honoured musician Okyeame Kwame, MD-Lancet Laboratories and several institutions for their sustained support in the fight against Hepatitis B.

At a seminar held on 18th July 2025 at the NMIMR Conference Hall, partners and stakeholders were recognised for their contributions to the Viral Hepatitis Outreach Programme (VHOP), which has been running for the past five years. The event highlighted the role of sponsors in providing funding, logistics, public education and free screening services.

Okyeame Kwame, through the Okyeame Kwame Foundation, has led an annual nationwide free Hepatitis B screening and vaccination exercise for more than 15 years. The initiative, which began in 2009, has reached thousands of Ghanaians and is held every World Hepatitis Day on 28 July. MD-Lancet has been a key partner since its inception, offering technical support, laboratory services and test kits to ensure the screenings are of the highest standard.

Other organisations acknowledged included the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited (UGEL), Crescent Chemist Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti, the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), the Ghana Chamber of Mines and East Cantonments Pharmacy. Newmont Ghana Ltd, Inqaba Biotech, Special Ice Ltd, Bethel Logistics Ltd, Labmart Ltd, MES Equipment Ltd and the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-3) were also celebrated.

Plaques of appreciation were presented to all honourees. A special award was given to Mr Baidoo of the Ghana Education Service, La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Directorate, for his consistent support in educating junior high school pupils about Hepatitis B.

The seminar, chaired by Dr Godwin Atsu Seake-Kwawu, manager of the Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, featured keynote presentations from Dr Yvonne Nartey on clinical management of Hepatitis B and Prof Charles Ampong Adjei on research and awareness strategies.

Prof Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi, co-chair of VHOP, outlined the programme’s achievements over the past five years and its outlook for the future. He commended the sponsors for their vision and commitment to sustaining the fight against Hepatitis B.