Zoologists urged to research potentially harmful diseases

Accra, March 21 GNA - Professor Bartholomew D. Akanmori, Head of the Immunology Department of the University of Ghana on Wednesday, called on zoologist to research into diseases such as the bird flu and SARS, which could have an adverse effect on the economy.

He said the outbreak of the bird flu in some of Ghana's neighbouring countries was a wake up call to research institutions to examine the causes of the pandemic for a solution. Prof. Akanmori was speaking at the annual week celebration of the Zoology Students Association (ZOSA) of the University of Ghana, Legon, on the theme, "50 years of Independence, the role of the zoologists in modern Ghana".

He called for the promotion of the study of zoology, which he said, was basic and critical to the learning of viral-diseases and the training of medical officers. Prof. Akanmori re-emphasised the need for zoology students to go into conservation as well as work with communities in the discharge of their functions.

Mr Richmond Amartey, Chief Executive of the Ghana Hostel Limited, called on the students to learn to manage their time properly to "add value" to lives.

He said students who failed to manage their time correctly were likely to become ineffective and inefficient in their working lives. Mr Amartey also urged the students disabuse their minds of the notion that being science students they did not need financial and management discipline in their endeavours. 21 March 07