West Africa Research Ethics
(WAREN-2026) Conference
Embedded Files
Theme:
Strengthening Research Ethics Capacity in West Africa Through Global Partnerships
March 23-25, 2026
Medical Training and Simulation Center
University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC)
University of Ghana Campus
Legon, Accra
Doris, Twice Best Presenter Award Winner And What It Means to Her
Being recognized as an award-winning presenter at both the Ghana Research Ethics Network (GREN) Conference in 2025 and the West Africa Research Ethics Network (WAREN) Conference in 2026 is a deeply meaningful milestone in my academic and professional journey.
In 2025, I presented my thesis at its proposal stage, prior to fieldwork and data collection, and was honored as the 3rd Best Student Presenter. That recognition affirmed the potential of my research and encouraged me to pursue it with greater rigor and commitment.
In 2026, I returned to present the completed study, no longer as a student presenter but as a conference presenter. Being awarded Best Oral Presenter (1st position) at WAREN reflects not only the growth of the research itself but also my development as a scholar, from conceptualization to execution and critical engagement.
This progression from GREN to WAREN mirrors my own journey, from a work in progress to a completed contribution to research ethics discourse. It represents growth, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of excellence. More importantly, it reinforces my commitment to advancing ethical research practices and contributing meaningfully to knowledge production in Ghana and across West Africa.
Being a double award winner is therefore not just an achievement but a responsibility to continue learning, mentoring, and contributing to the future of research ethics in our region.
Guidlines
All you need to know for a conforming conference presentation and participation.
Click on any buttons below to download and read relevant guidelines.
Please direct clarifying questions to ritp@ug.edu.gh
Guidelines
Standardized Templates
Submissions & Donwloads
News!
List of Accepted Abstracts
Congratulations to all listed below for the acceptance of their work for presentation at WAREN2026 Conference. Please consult the acceptance email sent to you on March 10th for important information regarding the next steps.
The WAREN community looks forward to hearing and reading more about your work.
List for ORAL presentations
List for POSTER presentations
Abstract Submission Deadline Extended to February 27th - CLOSED
The extension is to accommodate the influx of requests for slots to present at WAREN. Researchers and presenters now have until the 27th to submit their work for WAREN2026. Abstract submission is done online using the link above, using the predefined template and instructions. WAREN planning team hopes to see you at the conference.
Free & Discounted Accommodations Available
To ensure equitable access, WAREN planning committee provides:
FREE accommodations for travelers from the region.
Discounted rates (10% off) for travelers within Ghana.
Check-in starts at 11:00 AM on 22nd March.
Check-out ends at 1:00 PM on 25th March.
Please click the link above for more details on each offer and to sign up for an accommodation.
Change of Conference Venue
For more comfort, more fun, and more eye-catching scenery, the conference venue is now at the Medical Training and Simulation Center of the University of Ghana Medical Center. Click the button above for the Google Map location.
Registration Remains OPEN
Slots are limited for in-person attendance – 150 only, so be an early bird to secure your seat now. It is FREE – just provide your name, affiliation, and email address for further communication.
GREN Becomes WAREN!
The year 2026 is a turning point for the network, as it expands from Ghana to the broader West Africa sub-region. The transition is formalized with the joining of research integrity training fellows from Liberia and Sierra Leone, marking the network’s evolution from a Ghana Research Ethics Network into a West Africa Research Ethics Network-a truly regional platform.
We look forward to seeing you at WAREN 2026.
Conference Brochure Available
In the brochure, you will find detailed information about the run of show, the speakers, their institutions, and the mode of attendance-either in person or online. Use the brochure to plan your networking.
The Travel's Toolkit
This section holds basic information for when you arrive in Ghana
You will arrive through Accra International Airport.
Conference residences, Rehoboth Properties and Camp Elim, are both located at North Legon.
From the airport arrival areas, commercial taxis are stationed and can transport you to the residence at a fee.
Once at the residence, between the 23rd and the 25th, on-site transport to the conference venue will be arranged by the planning team.
Accra is generally safe; however, you are advised to exercise caution regarding "blind trust" and to always keep an eye on your personal belongings.
Uber and Bolt online ride ordering for personal trips operate in Accra.
"The organizers are not liable for any loss, damage, or injury incurred during travel or stay in Ghana."
Programme Highlights
Conference Opening
The opening will highlight historical moments, pivotal wins for both the project and the network since its formation. The presentation will showcase the aspirations of the program and the network, the journey that lies ahead, and the collective efforts to realize these objectives.
Partners Spotlight
Join us for this session where key collaborators playing a crucial role in shaping the future of our research ethics are spotlighted. Through short addresses, explore the diverse expertise contributing to research ethics globally. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with collaborators and network.
Panel Discussions
Four (4) panel discussions have been planned, covering game-changing insights in partnership, funding takeaways for research, and hard-won wisdom for personal development in research ethics. The sessions will invite diverse voices, including yours, during the Q&A session. Join us – dare to dive in.
Keynote Address
Speak with Professor Arthur L. Caplan on emerging ethical challenges in health research today. Prof. Caplan is a long-standing, globally recognized expert who has addressed similar complex topics, e.g., the ethical challenges in modifying the human germline, genetic discrimination in employment sectors, and health insurance. The keynote promises to be provocative.
Abstract Session
This is an opportunity to spotlight your breakthrough in research ethics, to shape the debate at the conference, and to discover the latest advancements in research ethics across various fields. The abstract session is where research meets impact, and where bold ideas are presented. Presentations are not limiting; if your work is original, scientific, and defensible, you are encouraged to submit it through the call for papers.
Award Ceremony
We will be awarding the Best Abstract and the top three oral presentations. Selection will be fully transparent and inclusive. Join the session to support emerging talents and celebrate the standout research of the conference. Be inspired by innovative ideas, witness excellence in action, and connect with the next generation of research leaders.
Networking
Connect, chat, and meet fellow participants over snacks, lunch, and complimentary refreshments throughout the conference. This is a prime opportunity to build meaningful connections, expand both your professional and personal networks, and exchange ideas in a relaxing setting. Come with your business cards and be ready to connect.
Workshops
Designed to give participants a direct voice in shaping the future of the Research Integrity Project in Ghana, as well as the direction of the network and the conference. This is a unique opportunity to influence priorities, share your perspectives, and help define two high-impact action items that will guide next steps. We want to hear your voices, ideas, and aspirations. It is open to all participants.
Inaugural Launch
The transition to WAREN is marked by the formal welcome of Research Integrity Fellows from Liberia and Sierra Leone into the network. This milestone is both symbolic and strategic, signaling the expansion to full West African coverage. Join the session to meet the new fellows, hear their reflections on what this transition means to them, and explore the shared vision, direction, and aspirations shaping the next phase of the network.
Speakers Lineup
Prof. Amos Laar
PI of Research Integrity Program (RITP)
School of Public Health
University of Ghana
*In-person*
Prof. Olugbenga Ogedegbe
Physician & Founding Director Institute for Excellence Health Equity
NYU Langone Health
USA
*Online*
Prof. Kwasi Torpey
Dean of School of Public Health
University of Ghana
Host for WAREN 2026 Conference
*In-person*
Prof. Ayodele Samuel Jegede
University of Ibadan
Nigeria
*Online*
Prof. Paulina Tindana
Co-Chair of the West Africa Research Ethics Network – WAREN 2026 Conference
University of Ghana
*In-person*
Prof. Veronica Njie-Carr
Co-Chair of the West Africa Research Ethics Network – WAREN 2026 Conference
PI of Gambia Research Ethics & Methodology Training Initiative - GamREMTI
University of Maryland
USA
*In-person*
Prof. Arthur L. Caplan
Founding Head
Division of Medical Ethics
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
USA
*Online*
Dr. Kyle Ferguson
Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy
Hunter College CUNY
USA
*In-person*
Prof. Christopher Agulanna
Rep. for SURER & Rep. for ENRICH Projects
University of Nigeria Nsukka
Nigeria
*In-person*
Mr. Haruna Zaid
President - Ghana Association of Administrators of Research Ethics Committee
Ghana
*In-person*
Ms Natalie Michaux
Chairperson
Postgraduate Student Council (PGSC)
United Kingdom
*Online*
Mr. Francis Kombe
Co-founder-African Research Integrity Network
South Africa
*Online*
Dr. Primus Che Chi
Senior Research, Ethics and Regulations Officer, Africa CDC
Ethiopia
*Online*
Ms. Mercury Shitindo
Director
Africa Bioethics Network
*Online*
Prof. Frederick Ato Armah
Director
Research and Programs
Association of African Universities – AAU
*In-person*
Dr. Dodzi Koku Hattoh
Philosopher & Researcher
Ethics Lab
Department of Philosophy & Classics University of Ghana
*In-person*
Prof. Augutine Ocloo
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
*In-person*
Emerita Prof. Isabella Quakyi
Ghana Academy of Art and Sciences
*In-person*
Dr. Emel Johnson
(Programme Officer) - WAHO
*Online*
Dr. Samba Cor. Sarr
Member of West African Network of national research Ethic Committee (WANEC) - WAHO
*In-person*
Prof. Fred Gbagbo
University of Education Winneba
Ghana
*In-person*
Prof. Ayodele Samuel Jegede
Director, Research Management Office
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
*Online*
Conference Accommodations
Accommodations for both international and local travelers have been arranged, ensuring equitable participation for both local and regional audiences. Both accommodation options are located at North Legon, less than 5 km from the conference venue.
Offer 1: Free Accommodation
Priority: For travelers from the sub-region
12 rooms with private bath.
For three nights.
Free of charge for all nights.
Breakfast included.
Located at North Legon.
Offer 2: Discounted Accommodation
Priority: For travelers from within Ghana.
10 rooms with private baths.
10% OFF listed rates.
For three nights.
Small rooms: 760 GHS (before discount).
Bigger rooms: 850 GHS (before discount).
Located at North Legon.
Interested persons, please click the link below to sign up for a room OR contact Research Integrity Training Programme (ritp@ug.edu.gh) for any assistance.
VISA
The WAREN conference planning team does not coordinate visas.
For information related to visas, please consult the Immigration Department of the Republic of Ghana: https://gis.gov.gh/visas/
Fun Things Around the Conference Venue
The University of Ghana campus is a relatively safe place during the daytime for leisure activities, but regardless, precaution is advised.
Tour it: The size of the city, the University of Ghana campus, is one of the largest in West Africa.
Swim it: Next to the Legon Sports Stadium, visit the Legon Athletic Swimming Pool (precautions advised).
Check it: There are gym facilities and sports facilities on the campus.
Use it: Banking Square is where most ATMs and banks on campus are located.
Enjoy it: Legon Botanical Garden for greenery, scenery, and fresh air.
Notice it: Noguchi Memorial Institute, notable research institute in Ghana, located next to the conference venue.
Beware: UGMC is one of the largest health facilities in Ghana, with modern equipment, right where the conference venue is.
Conference Conveners
Professor Amos Laar is a distinguished academic and researcher in public health nutrition and bioethics, and currently the Head of the Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health at the University of Ghana School of Public Health. He is also the Co-Principal Investigator on Phase 2 of the NYU-UG Research Integrity Training Program (RITP), currently being implemented at the University of Ghana.
Professor Arthur L. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine. Professor Caplan served on several high-level advisory bodies, including the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses, the Wellcome Trust Advisory Panel on Research in Humanitarian Crises, and as Co-Director of the Joint Council of Europe/United Nations Study on Trafficking in Organs and Body Parts. Professor Caplan is also a Co-Principal Investigators on Phase 2 of NYU-UG Research Integrity Training Program (RITP).
Professor Gbenga Ogedegbe is a distinguished physician and researcher in health disparities and cardiovascular diseases. He is the inaugural and founding Director of the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity at NYU Langone Health. Professor Ogedegbe is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and a fellow of several scientific organisations, including the American Heart Association, the American College of Physicians, and the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research. Professor Ogedegbe is also a Co-Principal Investigator on Phase 2 of the NYU-UG Research Integrity Training Program (RITP).
Conference Co-Chairs
Prof. Paulina Tindana
is an Associate Professor of Bioethics and Global Health in the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management at the University of Ghana School of Public Health, University of Ghana. Her research and teaching focus on the ethical, socio-cultural, and policy implications of biomedical research and public health systems, including genetics and genomics. As Principal Investigator, she leads the Genomics Epidemiology for Malaria Elimination Policy Engagement Project, funded by the Gates Foundation, and the H3Africa Community Engagement in Genomics and Biobanking (CEBioGen) project, supported by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, she is the Lead for the Global Health Bioethics Network in Ghana and has served on various national and international bioethics committees.
Prof. Veronica Njie-Carr
Veronica P.S. Njie-Carr, RN, ACNS-BC, PhD, FWACN is a full professor and academic nurse researcher in the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore in the United States. She is a clinical nurse specialist with 40 years of professional nursing experience and over 29 years of academic teaching at various universities and colleges in the U.S. Professor Njie-Carr’s interest in mentoring future generations of scholars led to her work in building capacity in developing countries through the development, implementation, and evaluation of education and research and research ethics programs. Her global work includes working with multi-disciplinary teams, developing leadership capacity through the training of health workers to participate in research, and providing mentorship, and consultation. Professor Njie-Carr is the principal investigator of the Gambia Research Ethics and Methodology Training Initiative (GamREMTI), the founder of the Edward G. Njie Scholarship Fund, and co-founder of the Gambian Diaspora Experts Initiative (GDEI), Inc.
Conference Planning Team
Reverend Emeritus Prof. Seth Ayettey
Prof. Samuel Asiedu Owusu
Dr. Adolf Kofi Awua
Dr. Kyle Ferguson
Ms. Selina Mantebea Tobil
Mr. Silver Nanema
Prof. James Abugri
Mr. Kwame Adjei
Prof. James Akazili
Mr. Emmanuel Ekow Arthur
Prof. Charles Hayfron-Benjamin
Network in Imange
Birth through the New York University–University of Ghana Research Integrity Training Program (NYU-UG RITP), the network holds conference meetings annually, supported by the project (RITP) which is funded through Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (FIC, NIH). The network, through the conference, seeks to further conversations on leading current ethical issues in research, including public health.
2026 is a special year as the network grows from the Ghanaian to the West African research ethics network, and in this growth will onboard Fellows, Cohort 4 and 5, into the network. Fellows in both cohorts come from Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The network under Y8 2026 also fosters collaboration with key bioethics programs in The Gambia and strengthens partnerships with these institutions for 2026. The partnership marks the transition of the network to the West Africa Network in Bioethics, the first event in West Africa.
In previous years, the network, then called GREN, hosted three gatherings (conferences) in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Over the course of these conferences, the network has engaged over 1,200 participants from well over 200 registered members on its listservs. The network has also fostered collaboration with the Food and Drug Authority of Ghana, the Ministry of Health of Ghana, the Ghana Health Service, and other local partners.
The network comprises faculty teaching the M.Sc. in Bioethics program at the University of Ghana, the first of its kind in Ghana and among the limited bioethics options in the sub-region. Graduates from the M.Sc. in Bioethics program and fellows from adjacent training streams have also been hosted at the University of Ghana in partnership with New York University.
Internally, the project (NYU–University of Ghana Research Integrity Training Program) has trained well over 50 fellows and M.Sc. graduates in bioethics. The program is well on the path to self-sustainability.
Regarding the current expansion to the West African network, there is no limitation on who can be part of it. Interested persons are all cordially invited. Registration is effective upon signing up to attend the conference, and communication will be ensured.
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