MILLICENT A. COBBLAH & GABRIEL AMEKA UNIVERSITY OF GHANA LEGON WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA DNA BARCODING MEETING OCTOBER, 24-26, 2008 ABUJA,NIGERIA

DNA BARCODE ACTIVITIES Molecular 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.

PRIORITIES Infrastructure 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

PRIORITIES Research projects Barcoding fruit flies (esp. Bactrocera invadens) populations of various plant hosts in Ghana Part of TBI Barcoding of medicinal plants in Ghana Tree 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.

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