Building neuroscience capacity in low- and middle-income countries: Lessons from Ghana
Thomas A Tagoe1, Robert P Biney2, Delali Ed-Bansah3
1Department of Physiology, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana; The Accra College of Medicine, Accra, Ghana.
Trends in Neurosciences
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Neuroscience development in low- and middle-income countries faces challenges. Ghana
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Global Health
- Capacity Building
Background:
- Neuroscience research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is hindered by limited resources and fragmented training programs.
- Sustainable development of scientific fields in LMICs requires addressing infrastructural and funding deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the factors contributing to the growth of neuroscience in Ghana.
- To identify transferable strategies for building sustainable neuroscience ecosystems in comparable LMIC contexts.
Main Methods:
- Case study analysis of neuroscience development in Ghana.
- Review of professional coordination, training partnerships, and community-led initiatives.
Main Results:
- Ghana's neuroscience sector has advanced through strategic professional coordination.
- Collaborative training partnerships and community-driven efforts have fostered ecosystem growth.
- These initiatives demonstrate a viable model for sustainable neuroscience development.
Conclusions:
- Effective professional coordination, training partnerships, and community engagement are crucial for building sustainable neuroscience ecosystems in LMICs.
- Ghana's experience offers valuable, transferable lessons for other nations aiming to strengthen their neuroscience capacity.
Related Concept Videos
01:43Sustainable Development
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:26Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or playing an...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:21Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
01:01Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.