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Science Friday, Episode 4 : Looking Through The Glass : Raman spectroscopy of concealed sample in sealed containers using shaped laser light
Historical Books Contain Toxic Substances Like Arsenic – Dr. George Dwapanyin Dr. George O. Dwapanyin, Research Fellow in Advanced Optical Imaging at the University of St Andrews, has revealed that some historical books contain hazardous substances such as arsenic, posing potential health risks to librarians, archivists, researchers and others who frequently handle them. He made the remarks during the fourth edition of ScienceFriday, organised by the KNUST Libraries to promote scientific discussion, research sharing and interdisciplinary collaboration within the university community. Dr. George O. Dwapanyin, Research Fellow in Advanced Optical Imaging at the University of St Andrews.Delivering a lecture titled “Drinks, Drugs, and Toxic Books: Recent Adventures in Spectroscopy Sensing”, Dr. Dwapanyin explained that toxic pigments used in the covers and pages of some old books could expose handlers to harmful chemicals through repeated physical contact. According to him, libraries and archives around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers associated with preserving and handling certain historical collections. “Some of these books contain pigments with arsenic and other toxic compounds. If you are constantly handling them without protection, it can become dangerous over time,” he stated. To reduce the risks associated with handling such materials, Dr. Dwapanyin said he and his team have developed a non-destructive Raman scanning method that allows toxic books to be digitised and analysed while minimising physical contact. He explained that current safety measures for handling toxic books include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), gloves, masks and the storage of hazardous books in glass cases to limit exposure. “Our goal is to make it possible to study and preserve these books without destroying them and without exposing people to unnecessary risks,” he said. Dr. Dwapanyin further described how Raman spectroscopy can identify substances through glass, coloured containers and opaque materials without opening or damaging them. “We can see whether it is methanol in a coloured bottle or a clear bottle, and we can detect contaminants as low as half a per cent,” he explained. Beyond preserving historical books, he noted that the technology could support efforts to combat counterfeit drugs in Ghana and across West Africa, where fake medications continue to pose serious public health threats. “Ghana and the West African sub-region are viable markets for fake medication. According to World Health Organisation reports, many fake anti-malaria medications come into West Africa and parts of Central Africa,” he stated. He explained that conventional methods of testing medications often require samples to be destroyed before laboratory analysis, making large-scale screening difficult and expensive. Touching on challenges affecting scientific innovation in Africa, Dr. Dwapanyin said bureaucracy and politics remain the biggest obstacles to deploying advanced technology on the continent, rather than cost or technical limitations. “The challenge is not necessarily the science or even the cost. The biggest barrier is bureaucracy and politics,” he stressed. As a long-term solution, Dr. Dwapanyin advocated local manufacturing of key scientific components such as lasers and spectrometers to reduce dependence on imports and make the technology more accessible across Africa. University Librarian, Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey.The University Librarian, Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey, emphasised the importance of science in solving societal challenges and promoting development. “Today’s gathering reminds us that science is not only about discoveries in laboratories, but also about finding solutions to the challenges facing our communities, our nation, and the world,” he said.
KNUST Governing Council Appoints Professor Christian Agyare as 13th Vice-Chancellor
KNUST Governing Council Appoints Professor Christian Agyare as 13th Vice-Chancellor Published: 13th May 2026 Source: University Relations Office (URO) The Governing Council of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi at its 292nd (Special) Meeting held on Wednesday, 13th May 2026 appointed Professor Christian Agyare as the Vice-Chancellor of the University for a Four (4) – Year Term of office effective 1st August, 2026 to 31st July, 2030. Professor Agyare succeeds Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, whose tenure of office officially ends on 31st July 2026. His appointment makes him the 13th Vice-Chancellor of KNUST since the University was established on 6th October 1951. A distinguished academic, globally recognised researcher and accomplished institutional leader, Professor Christian Agyare brings to the office more than two and a half decades of dedicated service to KNUST and the international academic community. Widely respected for his transformational leadership, strategic vision and outstanding contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and higher education management. He currently serves as Provost of the College of Health Sciences, the University’s largest and most complex academic college. Professor Agyare obtained his Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy degrees from KNUST before earning a Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) degree from the University of Münster, Muenster, Germany. He subsequently held postdoctoral and research appointments at Novartis/Seeding Labs in Boston and at the University of California, San Francisco, where he worked on cutting-edge discovery in parasitic diseases and advanced pharmaceutical research. These international experiences shaped his global outlook and positioned him within influential scientific and academic networks across the world. As a renowned Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Professor Agyare has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed research publications and earned an H-index of 36, an i10-index of 84 and over 5,000 citations. His remarkable scholarly output has earned him recognition among top scientists globally and among the top 100 researchers in Ghana in the AD Scientific Index 2026 rankings. His research expertise spans natural products pharmacology, antimicrobial resistance, wound healing, ethnopharmacology, parasitology and anticancer drug discovery with immense relevance to healthcare delivery and scientific advancement in Africa and beyond. Over the years, he has secured more than USD 11 million in competitive research grants and funding support from internationally respected organisations, including the German Research Foundation (DFG), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Mastercard Foundation and the World Bank. His global academic standing is further demonstrated by his election as the first African member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA), as well as his membership on the editorial boards of more than thirty international journals. He is also a Fellow of both the Ghana College of Pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana. Professor Agyare has held several strategic leadership positions at KNUST, serving on the University Executive Committee, Academic Board, Planning and Resources Committee, Budgetary Committee, and the Appointments and Promotions Committee. As Head of the Quality Assurance and Planning Unit (now Quality Assurance and Planning Office) from 2016 to 2020, he spearheaded far-reaching institutional reforms that significantly strengthened governance, accountability and operational efficiency within the University. Under his leadership, KNUST introduced innovative online systems for staff appraisal, departmental and environmental rankings, and research supervision assessments. He also coordinated the University’s first five (5)-year cyclical accreditation review and facilitated the development of thirty-three (33) out of KNUST’s forty-five (45) institutional policies. One of his landmark achievements during this period was the introduction of a multipurpose smart identification card system integrating biometric identification, access control and financial transaction features for staff and students. Since assuming office as Provost of the College of Health Sciences in August 2020, Professor Agyare has led a remarkable transformation at the College, overseeing the introduction of sixteen postgraduate and eight undergraduate programmes, significant increases in postgraduate enrolment and graduation rates, and major infrastructure expansion projects. Beyond KNUST, he has contributed significantly to higher education policy and quality assurance systems across Africa, including serving as an international quality assurance expert for the Namibia Council for Higher Education. Professor Agyare is also recognised for his commitment to mentorship, gender equity and human capital development. He is a Fellow of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Foundation and has consistently championed the academic and professional advancement of female researchers and graduate students. His vision for KNUST is anchored on advancing science, technology, research, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and student-centred-training for sustainable national and global development. His leadership philosophy is rooted in adaptive governance, technology-driven transformation, sustainable resource management and strategic partnerships aimed at positioning KNUST as a globally competitive institution. Professor Christian Agyare is a distinguished alumnus of Prempeh College, a respected practising pharmacist and a committed community leader. He is married to Dr. (Pharm.) Charlotte Sena Agyare, and together they are blessed with three children. He is also an active member of the Kwadaso Methodist Church.
Science Friday, Episode 3: Vision Revolution : The Science behind better eye care
Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Optometry and Visual Science, has raised concern over the rising cases of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) among young people and professionals, warning that prolonged screen use is quietly straining the eyes of many Ghanaians. Speaking at the third edition of Science Friday, an academic engagement platform organised by KNUST Libraries to promote scientific discussion, research sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, he addressed the theme “Vision Revolution: The Science Behind Better Eye Care.” “Computer Vision Syndrome is a group of eye and vision problems resulting from prolonged screen use. When we stare at screens for long periods, our blink rate reduces, leading to dry eyes. At the same time, continuous near focus causes fatigue, while glare and poor posture increase visual stress,” he explained. He noted that common symptoms include eye strain, dryness, irritation, blurred vision, headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain, conditions many people often ignore until they worsen. To curb the condition, Dr. Owusu Akuffo emphasized simple but effective preventive measures, particularly the 20-20-20 rule, which involves looking away from the screen every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. “Keep your screen at a distance of about 50 to 70 centimetres and position it slightly below eye level. Blink more often, ensure proper lighting, and use the right prescription glasses where necessary,” he advised. Beyond digital eye strain, he highlighted the broader challenge of preventable vision loss, revealing that nearly 90% of vision problems can be avoided with early detection and proper care. Dr. Owusu Akuffo also spotlighted the role of the KNUST Low Vision Centre, which provides specialized assessments and assistive devices such as magnifiers and electronic aids for individuals with irreversible vision loss, while training eye care professionals across the country. He urged the public to adopt healthy eye care habits, including regular eye examinations, wearing UV-protective sunglasses, and maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E. He called on Ghanaians to prioritize routine eye checks and proactive care to prevent avoidable vision loss. “If you close your eyes for a minute, you will begin to imagine the life many people live in darkness and blindness,’’ he said.
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June 2026Science Friday, Episode 5: Achieving the SDGs 1,2 & 3 : Solution in "Our" Food Basket
2:00 PMPrempeh Ii Library
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April 2026Science Friday: Episode 3
2:00 PMPrempeh Ii Library
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March 2026Science Friday
1:00 PMPREMPEH II LIBRARY