Head of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Ghana Medical School, Professor Vincent Boima, has released new findings linking ethnic groups to genetic risk factors for kidney disease in West Africa.

Speaking to Citi FM on May 15, 2026, after his inaugural lecture titled “From Genes to Minds: Holistic Pathways to Precision Kidney Care in Africa”, Professor Boima said the Akan ethnic group is more likely to carry dangerous kidney disease variants compared to the Gas and Ewes.

Extending the scope of his research beyond Ghana’s borders, Professor Boima noted that similar patterns of genetic disparity have been observed in Nigeria, where certain ethnic groups appear more vulnerable than others.

"We showed an equal distribution among the ethnic groups in Ghana, with the Akans having a higher proportion of high-risk variants for APOL1 compared to the Gas and the Ewes. We found similar ethnic disparity in Nigeria where Igbos were more likely to have higher-risk variants for the gene compared to Yorubas and Fulanis," he disclosed.

Prof Boima added that recent research shows that scientists are still trying to fully understand why certain groups of people in Africa face higher risks of kidney disease.

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According to him, while the exact reason for the disparity is not yet clear, the evidence points to genetics playing a major role.

"The explanation of this disparity is not clear to us, but what we understand is that these genes seem to be explaining excess risk of kidney disease among young people who are afflicted to [certain tribes] in our part of the world.

"Therefore, there's a need for us to look at high-risk groups and look for those with two risk variants who may be at risk of developing kidney disease or perhaps who already have kidney disease to provide a tailor-made precision treatment that can improve the outcomes," Prof Boima added.

Professor Vincent Boima said he is hopeful about new treatments that are being developed, adding that future drugs could block the harmful effects of the APOL1 gene, which is linked to kidney disease.

"Especially when drugs become available to block this gene, it will be very good for these particular populations that are at high risk of getting APOL1-related kidney diseases," he said.

Understanding APOL1 Gene Variants

The APOL1 (Apolipoprotein L1) gene produces a protein that forms part of the body’s natural defence system, particularly against parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness.

Centuries ago, two variants of this gene — known as G1 and G2 — became common in West African populations.

However, in modern times, these same variants have become a major risk factor for kidney disease.

Study reveals genetic key to rising kidney disease cases in West Africa

Carrying two high-risk APOL1 variants (G1/G1, G1/G2, or G2/G2) significantly increases the likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially non-diabetic forms such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and hypertension-related kidney damage.

Even carrying one risk variant has been shown to elevate risk.

Large-scale studies under the H3Africa Kidney Disease Research Network and NIH collaborations, involving thousands of participants from Ghana and Nigeria, revealed that nearly one-third of West Africans carry these high-risk variants.

This genetic factor helps explain why chronic kidney disease often affects younger, working-age adults in the region at unusually high rates, even without traditional risk factors like diabetes or hypertension.

Head of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Ghana Medical School, Vincent Boima, says research has found that Akans are more likely to carry high-risk gene variants linked to kidney disease compared to Gas and Ewes in Ghana.

Speaking after his… pic.twitter.com/m9jJbG38DH

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) May 15, 2026