Researcher is set on educating Ghanaians about nutrition

Dr Mary Amoako comes from a family of scientists in Ghana. She is a researcher and university lecturer, and since it runs in the family, it is no surprise that her work has been recognised.

Amoako was recently honoured as one of 30 African recipients of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards.

Given the challenges confronted by African scientists, University World News asked Amoako to talk about some of the difficulties she has experienced in her career, but also how she has turned them into opportunities.

Amoako also speaks about why she decided to come back home to Ghana from the United States after successfully completing her PhD studies, and how she is running a successful business while conducting her research.

UWN: Where did you study as part of your academic career?

MA: I am Ghanaian, with a PhD from Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States, where I pursued a PhD in human nutrition and a certificate in epidemiology. I earned an undergraduate qualification in biochemistry at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology [in Ghana], and an MPhil in human nutrition and dietetics from the same university.

UWN: After studying both at home and abroad, any comparisons you can make?

MA: The resources to study abroad are phenomenal. From well-equipped laboratories where all research work is performed with no barriers, extremely great and effective mentorship, and exposure to numerous scientific conferences that helped me with collaborations to tailor my research to feed the future. These are the differences I noticed abroad.

UWN: What research are you undertaking that landed you the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award?

MA: I am working on how diet affects the probability of children developing orofacial cleft (cleft lip and cleft palate) and all other forms of birth defect. I am doing this by assessing maternal diets before pregnancy and folic acid levels in their blood.

UWN: What influenced you to decide to work on solving this challenge?

MA: Many children are living lives below their mental and intellectual capabilities due to multiple nutrient deficiencies. Further, the nutrition of the orofacial cleft is understudied in Ghana. So I established collaboration with an astute researcher who works with the genetics of cleft lip palate, Dr Lord Jephthah Joojo Gowans from my university. Upon our numerous deliberations, the idea of this project was born and I was glad L’Oréal-UNESCO decided to support this vision.

UWN: Are there any hurdles that you faced that could have derailed your science dream? If there were, how did you handle and overcome them?

MA: Some of them presented themselves when I came from the US to settle in Ghana. I didn’t get a job immediately, as promised. I was unemployed, and it was a major hurdle. Following the delays and the frustrations, I decided to set up a company and employ myself. That was when I started my first business, Diet-Trust Foods and Nutrition Consult, a nutrition consultation and advocacy company in Ghana. I didn’t just turn my lemons into lemonade, I turned them into lemon doughnuts, lemon risotto, and lemon pie, among others!

UWN: After studying abroad, students from Africa often do not return home. What made you return home?

MA: I have never been someone who was fascinated about living abroad. I was sponsored by a USAID programme to train faculty members for universities in developing countries. I gave my word that I would come back to serve in my university after my training and I kept my word! Go and be trained and get a job as a lecturer.

UWN: What sparked your science interest?

MA: All my brothers are science students: a medical doctor, a pharmacist and two mechanical engineers – that’s how they turned out. My elder brother, now a medical doctor, would watch the National Science and Maths Quiz, a competitive quiz for senior high school students in Ghana, and would make a lot of noise about it. I was very curious to know what excited him so much about science. That was when I decided to follow suit. All my brothers have been an inspiration to my career development.

UWN: Tell us about the business you started and how it is doing.

MA: My business is Diet-Trust Foods and Nutrition Consult. As a nutrition and lifestyle firm which specialises in advocacy and consultancy, guiding individuals, families and organisations to make healthy lifestyle choices, it is doing well. With this platform, I am able to educate Ghanaians on healthy diets and lifestyle choices. More importantly, I am able to communicate the output of my research to vulnerable groups.

UWN: What are some of the challenges researchers like you face in Africa, and what must be done?

MA: Settling back in after leaving your country as a researcher can be challenging.

Transitioning from a PhD to an independent researcher and lecturer can be a challenge because, sometimes, you don’t have the funds to do research and establish labs. Capacity-building programmes can be helpful, such as mentorship and grants, among others.

UWN: How do you balance business, your research work and family?

MA: Hmmmmmm. It’s not easy. Time management, prioritising my activities and the God factor have been key.

UWN: As a lecturer, are you happy about the male-female student ratio in your lectures? If it’s not favourable, what must be done?

MA: Research and academia are male-dominated and I believe the gap can be bridged if most females are empowered to overcome the socio-cultural factors associated with climbing the academic ladder.

UWN: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

MA: I see myself changing my world with multidisciplinary research, especially in improving food security in Africa among vulnerable groups. The problem of food security can’t be solved by one person. The seed to the question ... numerous scientists play crucial roles in helping with access, availability and utilisation of food. I aspire to be a global leader to fight hunger by collaborating with other great scientists to kick hunger out of our world!

You see, in academia and research, sometimes people are fascinated about the manuscripts we publish, but I will say this: my learned manuscripts mean nothing to me if the information in those manuscripts does not influence the lives of the vulnerable populations I work with. Proposing and implementing interventions to reduce hunger in our world is the key.