The PhD student who wants to start Ghana’s first cancer research institute

In 2022, the Global Cancer Observatory reported 27,385 new cancer cases and 17,944 deaths in Ghana. 

Predictions from The Lancet Oncology warn that by 2030, the death toll across sub-Saharan Africa could surge to one million annually, a stark contrast to the 520,348 deaths recorded in 2020. 

Yet, until 2023, Ghana had no designated National Cancer Institute for comprehensive cancer research, reflecting insufficient support for cancer research across sub-Saharan Africa.

This lack of support manifests in poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of mentors for aspiring researchers. The scarcity of local cancer data further complicates efforts to develop relevant treatments.

These challenges bear a heavy weight on Bismark Acheampong, a biomedical science student from Ghana. For him, pursuing cancer research has been a difficult but deeply personal journey.

Ghana’s lack of resources, funds, and support from the local government in cancer research meant that Acheampong had to move abroad to pursue his research. Source: Bismark Acheampong

Turning passion into purpose

Born and raised in Ghana, Acheampong joined Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to study Biological Sciences for his undergraduate degree.

It was then, during one of his internships, that his interest in cancer research began.

“While shadowing a medical doctor during my internship, I met several patients who were diagnosed with cancer,” shares Acheampong. “We were trying to search for treatment or palliative care, but there was not much we could do.”

“With that, I found a passion in that area of research because I want to return home to help the community find a cure or at least a treatment for cancer.”

However, the road ahead was far from easy. As Acheampong quickly learned, cancer research programmes in the country were scarce, and funding was nearly non-existent. 

Even as his academic journey progressed, opportunities for cancer research remained limited. Ghana’s leading institutions, such as the Noguchi Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research, faced the same financial and technological constraints.

Across Africa, infectious diseases like Ebola, cholera, and malaria dominate health priorities, leaving cancer research marginalised.

“There’s little effort in Africa to prevent or cure even the deadliest diseases,” says Acheampong.

Losing his Erasmus Mundus scholarship was devastating, but Acheampong refused to give up and applied to several universities in the US for the first time, where he received three fully funded scholarships. Source: Bismark Acheampong

“There was no funding, so my Erasmus Mundus scholarship was retracted”

Determined to overcome these barriers and dive into cancer research, Acheampong began applying for graduate programmes abroad.

His first success came when he was awarded an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for a master’s in Vaccinology.

“With the urgency for cancer vaccines, it piqued my interest,” says Acheampong. “At the time, I planned on applying for a PhD programme related to cancer with a focus on cancer immunology once I complete my master’s.”

But, just as he prepared to move to Europe, the scholarship was revoked due to funding cuts from the European Commission.  

However, Acheampong was informed that he could still pursue his master’s if he could pay for half of the tuition, but that was not possible.

“It was devastating. I wasn’t the only one affected — several friends had already quit their jobs in anticipation of the programme,” Acheampong says.

Acheampong has research experience in Neglected Tropical Infectious Diseases (NTDs) and Cell and Developmental Biology. Source: Bismark Acheampong

Despite this setback, Acheampong refused to give up. Instead, he turned his sights to the US, a leader in cancer research.

With the support of mentors in Ghana, Acheampong applied to six PhD programmes in the US and was accepted into three fully funded programmes, including one at Vanderbilt University, where he’s now pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Science with a focus on Cancer Biology.

Acheampong’s long-term goal is to return to Ghana and collaborate efforts to establish the country’s first comprehensive cancer research institute. “It won’t be big, but it will be a start,” he says.

His vision includes training future generations of researchers and introducing a cancer biology degree programme in Ghanaian universities.

Acheampong aims to return to Ghana as an independent researcher to start a cancer research institute and develop therapies for patients worldwide. Source: Bismark Acheampong

Advice from a cancer research student about studying abroad

For those who aspire to study abroad, Acheampong offers candid advice: “Prepare mentally for rejection — it’s part of the process. But don’t hesitate to reach out to programme faculty. Even if they don’t have a spot for you, you’ve lost nothing by asking.”

Acheampong also cautions against fixating on prestigious universities.

“It’s about finding the right fit for your research. You don’t need to only attend an Ivy League school to succeed,” he says.