Kolkata: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Ghana have entered into a formal partnership to expand cooperation in biodiversity research, conservation genomics, wildlife health and scientific capacity building, strengthening India’s growing research engagement with Africa.The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged in Accra on Oct 6 between ZSI, an organisation under the Union environment ministry, and the University of Ghana. The agreement is expected to open the way for joint research programmes, exchange of scientists and young researchers, collaborative field and laboratory studies and training initiatives.Among the priority areas identified are One Health and disease surveillance, biodiversity monitoring, conservation genomics and the use of advanced genomic tools for conservation and wildlife management.On behalf of ZSI, the MoU was exchanged by Sevala Naik Mude, additional secretary, Central and West Africa Division, ministry of external affairs, with Prof Francis Gbogbo, dean, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana.External affairs minister S Jaishankar, Ghana’s foreign affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and education minister Haruna Iddrisu were present at the ceremony, underscoring the wider bilateral push for cooperation in science, education and research.ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee and scientist Mukesh Thakur were in Ghana to identify and strengthen areas of scientific collaboration with the university.Banerjee said the partnership should move beyond short-term projects and build sustained institutional cooperation between scientists of the two countries.“The focus should be on developing collaborative research programmes, exchanging scientific expertise and young researchers, strengthening capacity building and jointly addressing emerging challenges in biodiversity conservation, wildlife health, One Health and environmental sustainability,” she said.The MoU provides a broad framework for cooperation in biodiversity science, conservation, environmental studies and genetics. It is also expected to help researchers from both sides share laboratory expertise, data, methodologies and field experience.The agreement builds on ZSI’s existing research engagement in Ghana. Over the past three years, the organisation has been associated with biodiversity research in the country, including a Convention on Biological Diversity-supported project on pangolin conservation led by Thakur. The project focuses on conservation research as well as development of molecular tools that can aid wildlife crime investigation and enforcement.Indian high commissioner to Ghana Surinder Bhagat, officials of the Indian mission and representatives of the University of Ghana, including Juliet Ewool Quansah and Prof Ben Ofori, also attended the ceremony.ZSI officials said the partnership could provide a long-term platform for addressing common challenges in biodiversity loss, wildlife disease surveillance, conservation genetics and sustainable management of natural resources, while also strengthening scientific links between India and Africa.
