BARCODING ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES- GHANA

MILLICENT A. COBBLAH & GABRIEL AMEKAUNIVERSITY OF GHANA

LEGON

WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA DNA BARCODING MEETINGOCTOBER, 24-26, 2008

ABUJA,NIGERIA

DNA BARCODE ACTIVITIESMolecular studies and other PCR related activities

Eg. Project at Coconut Research Institute of CSIR determining vectors of CCMV disease using PCR

Current Barcoding Identification of disease vectors (mosquitoes, and black

flies)Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research of

the University of Ghana, Legon

Involved students on ARPPIS programme and various scientists

ACTIVITIES CONT’D

DNA Barcoding of Podostemaceae from Africa in collaboration with scientists in Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew London.

PRIORITIESInfrastructure and Capacity:

DNA Barcoding facilities- presently at NNMIR of UGL. Need to develop basic molecular facilities up to PCR at other institutions (ARPPIS-UG, UCC etc) –

Local DNA Bank of biodiversity of Ghana and keep copies of voucher specimens.

Linked to the Zoology museum (best collection in Ghana) and the Ghana Herbarium of University of Ghana and Entomology museum University of Cape Coast

Human capacity to maintain standards (Support to train middle level, Masters/PHD students),collaboration/exchange visits for scientists, opportunities to participate in relevant meetings

Strengthen WAFRINET

PRIORITIESResearch projectsBarcoding fruit flies (esp. Bactrocera invadens) populations of

various plant hosts in GhanaPart of TBI

Barcoding of medicinal plants in GhanaTree Bol

Computerise museum collection data, digital image library to link it to other sites and make it more accessible.Anticipation of Barcoding activities-fresh specimen collections.

Barcoding of some traditional delicacies such as bush meat (vertebrates) and some invertebrates eg snails.

THANK YOU