The Italia–Africa Initiative, a collaborative programme between the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and Sapienza University of Rome in partnership with African institutions, is dedicated to strengthening high-level research collaborations aimed at addressing critical global health challenges.

On 12th May 2026, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome hosted an international meeting showcasing the progress of PhD candidates under the Dottorati di ricerca Italia–Africa initiative, with participants from Ghana, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation by Mr. Eric Ebenezer Boham, a PhD candidate from KNUST, Ghana. His research, titled “Unveiling Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte dynamics in asymptomatic malaria,” provides important insights into the human bone marrow microenvironment as a potential reservoir for malaria parasites.

The project is supervised by Dr. Bismarck Dinko, of the School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, and internationally by Dr. Francesco Silvestrini of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Dr. Dinko also serves as the research group leader overseeing the broader scientific direction of the work, contributing significantly to discussions on malaria parasite sequestration in the human bone marrow and the methodologies used to study this niche.

The work reflects a strong and growing collaboration between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing malaria research and global health solutions.

The event brought together distinguished institutional leaders, including Rocco Bellantone, President of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, and Antonella Polimeni, Rector of Sapienza University of Rome, alongside representatives from the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Discussions centered on translating ongoing research into sustainable scientific diplomacy and long-term international collaboration.

This engagement highlights the growing global visibility of KNUST-led research and underscores the impact of strong international partnerships in addressing critical health challenges.