Voices

Wafaa M Rashed: Final Words to the Tenth Cohort of the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics Course

Wafaa Rashed/LinkedIn

Aug 18, 2025, 20:47

Wafaa M Rashed: Final Words to the Tenth Cohort of the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics Course

Wafaa M Rashed, Chair and Founder of PAPERI (Pan-African PGS Education and Research Initiative), shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Final Words to the Tenth Cohort of the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics Course

Dear Participants,
As the tenth chapter of this transformative journey closes, my heart is full of pride and hope. You have proven that Africa’s future in genomics will be written by determined, ethical, and visionary leaders like you.

Congratulations on successfully completing the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics course, organized by the Pan-African PGS Education and Research Initiative (PAPERI). Over these weeks, you have gone beyond acquiring knowledge – you have sharpened your voice, your vision, and your commitment to lead.

Together, we tackled urgent questions – from genetic-based vaccination policies, to ethical consent in research, to genomic tools for pandemic prevention and antimicrobial resistance. You explored the balance between innovation and equity, science and ethics, urgency and responsibility. Your debates and reflections were not just intellectually rich – they were deeply anchored in Africa’s realities and dreams.

Participating Countries:

Nigeria
Kenya
Uganda
Cameroon
Sierra Leone
Sudan
Libya

Across borders and backgrounds, your voices united in a shared mission: to ensure genomics in Africa is ethical, inclusive, locally led, and globally respected. You have shown the courage to question, the wisdom to listen, and the skill to lead with evidence and empathy.

To our Teaching Assistants – Mr. Kedir Hassen (Ethiopia) and Dr. Dr.Ernest Ahamah, MLS.D (Ghana) – and all who worked tirelessly behind the scenes: your guidance and support turned this course from a program into a community.

As you carry this experience forward, remember:

‘Science without policy is a seed without soil – your advocacy is what makes it grow.’
‘Equity is not given – it is built, protected, and defended.’
‘In genomics, as in life, the story must be told by those who live it. Let Africa’s story be told by Africa’s voices.’

This is not a farewell – it is a call to action. You are now part of a continent-wide movement for a healthier, fairer, and genomically empowered Africa.

With unwavering belief in your journey,
Dr. Wafaa M. Rashed, PhD
Founder and Chair, Pan-African PGS Education and Research Initiative (PAPERI).”

Wafaa M Rashed: Final Words to the Tenth Cohort of the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics Course