38 African scientists, 17 global experts storm Kumasi as KNUST opens GPOL optics hub

On 22 September 2026, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) hosted the official launch of the Ghana Photonics and Optics Laboratory (GPOL) in Kumasi, Ghana. Located within the university's Department of Physics, GPOL is a pioneering research facility driven by a team of 38 African scientists and 17 global experts.

Its mission is to address critical challenges in West Africa through advanced light-based instruments, including non-invasive medical tools, affordable diagnostic devices, and high-precision sensors for environmental monitoring. Dr Akyana Britwum, the principal investigator and scientific lead, emphasized the importance of photonics as a defining technology of the 21st century, stating that Ghana should not be left behind in this field.

The laboratory's launch is accompanied by the inaugural NYANSAPO Photonics School for Health and Safety, where 38 emerging scientists from six African nations and 17 leading global photonics researchers will participate in a six-day intensive program. This school provides hands-on experience in constructing, operating, and analyzing data from advanced optical devices, ensuring that participants gain practical skills in photonics.

The summit also features high-profile international lecturers, including Dr Peter de Groot, SPICE's 2025 President, and Dr Samuel Achilefu from UT Southwestern Medical Center. The event aims to foster local capacity in photonic instrumentation, ensuring that Ghanaian and African researchers can build, maintain, and adapt these devices to tackle regional challenges.

Additionally, the summit will culminate in a community outreach project at Hwiremoase, engaging hundreds of school pupils to inspire the next generation of African scientists. The initiative is supported by SPIE, Optica, Menlo Systems, Thorlabs, ICFO, and the Institute for Quantum Computing, through KNUST's partnership with the Pan-African Initiative for Research (PAIR) at the University of Waterloo.