Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah is taking over scientific leadership of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) in Ghana, which is jointly run by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Ghanaian Ministry of Health and the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), Hamburg.

The KCCR is an internationally renowned centre for infectious disease research in Kumasi, Ghana, and studies conditions such as malaria, viral and bacterial infections, sepsis, antibiotic resistance and neglected tropical diseases. Millions of people worldwide are affected by these diseases. Working closely with hospitals and healthcare facilities across many regions, the centre carries out clinical research and field studies. In parallel, it is embedded in an international network of universities, research institutions and health organisations.

Prof. Debrah's research focus is on parasitic worm diseases, particularly river blindness, which represents a major problem in Ghana, among other countries. He sees one of his future tasks as deepening existing collaborations and strategically developing the institute further under increasingly difficult funding conditions. Cuts to important international programmes are intensifying competition for funding, making reliable partnerships all the more important.

In addition, there is a focus on supporting young scientists and further improving working conditions, in order to build knowledge, retain skilled staff and secure research at the site. This is intended to help strengthen health systems and reduce the burden these various diseases place on people.