The Forensic Science Department of the University for Development Studies has, in collaboration with the Forensic Investigation for National Development, organized a forensic and security summit on the Tamale Campus of the University. The summit brought together leading academic forensic scientists, personnel from the various security agencies, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and expertise on all aspects of Forensics and Security.

There were representatives from the university community, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Ambulance Service, and Security personnel who work with UDS.

The summit, which was under the theme “Building a formidable Security Front where Stakeholders Cooperate to ensure Efficient Delivery of Justice” also aimed at marketing the prospects forensic science carries and to educate the masses regarding matters of justice delivery.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences, Professor Elliot Haruna Alhassan who chaired the occasion, thanked all the participants for turning out for the summit in their numbers, adding that it was an indication that Ghanaians were beginning to take forensic and security matters more seriously. He called on the security agencies to open up for collaborations with the UDS Forensic Sciences Department to fast-track the accreditation process and future training. He also announced special programmes designed by the University to target security agencies.

The Vice-Chancellor of University for Development Studies, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye who was the Special Guest of Honour, called for the application of sophisticated methods to unravel crime in the country.

The Acting Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences, Dr. Lydia Quansah, who was also the keynote speaker, said Forensic science is a critical element of the criminal justice system, adding that Forensic evidence is useful for linking crimes, which establishes the patterns of crimes and also narrows the number of probable suspects. She highlighted the gaps and challenges in forensic science practice and education in Ghana and made suggestions as to how these gaps can be closed.

For her part, Dr. Christiana Odumah Hood of the Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, spoke on public awareness about nuclear emergencies and the need for nuclear forensics.

The executive Director of FIND Ghana, Mr. Saeed Ciessey and Mr Kwasi Wiafe Ampofo Kwapong led a simulation exercise to demonstrate the use of forensics while Dr. Abu Suleman Mohammed and Dr. Abdul Rahman Haruna Sachibu also demonstrated to participants, the dos and don’ts during emergency situations.