The Centre for Health System Strengthening (CfHSS) contracted a consultant from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) to provide a 1-week training and support with the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing at the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) in Korle-Bu, Accra. The training took place from 13^th to 17^th December, 2021 at NPHRL.

This activity is in line with CfHSS’s vision to strengthen health and laboratory systems in the country. This support comes at the back of the financial assistance received from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the project ‘Enhancing Global Health Security in the country’.

The training comprised six (6) main components, and these include:

• RNA extraction
• Genomic amplification
• Quantification
• Library preparation
• Sequencing
• Analysis of sequenced data

Prior to the training, CfHSS had donated a number of sequencing items to the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory. These items include MinION sequencing devices, computers and accessories, and third-party sequencing reagents. Below are some highlights of the training at NPHRL:

It is hoped that the current capacity established at NPHRL would help boost the country’s capacity in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing, and subsequently helps to strengthen COVID-19 surveillance system in Ghana.