Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Asante [ Kojo ]

Life in Ghana

Kojo (translated boy born on a Monday) as he is fondly known, is a Founding Director of the Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (Canada). Born in Larteh in Akwapim Region of Ghana, West Africa, he is the oldest of eight children whose parents were teachers. He speaks Guam, Twi and English. His mother was born and raised in the town of Larteh, while his father was born and raised in nearby Akropong. His maternal great-grandfather was one of the founders of the Methodist Church in the region. Asante's heritage includes his maternal grandfather serving as a missionary within Ghana while his paternal grandfather, a Presbyterian (Basle) missionary, travelled from the Gold Coast to as far as the Congo and was one of the translators of the Bible from English into the Twi language. Many harrowing and inspiring stories of his ancestry have been passed down through the family as a result of their pioneering endeavors.

Spending his early school years in the Presbyterian School system in Ghana, Asante dreamed as a very young boy of becoming a doctor. A dear family friend, Dr. Oku Ampofo, was Asante's inspiration. When visiting his clinic, Asante admits to being intrigued by the smells of the medicines in the doctor's pharmacy. Completing his middle and high school years with a British Curriculum and exams, he spent the next two years on a scholarship at the Kumasi College of Technology, where he studied science.

Training Abroad

At twenty-three year of age, Asante studied Zoology and Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He entered the post-graduate program, but left to attend Medical School at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he received his medical degree. After finishing his studies in Scotland, he returned to Canada and commenced his Internship at the Vancouver General Hospital [VGH], British Columbia. After his Internship concluded, he applied to specialize and was accepted into Internal Medicine. However, he decided to pursue training in Pediatrics because of his love for children and completed a two year Residency Program in Pediatrics at VGH instead. His life course was now set.

His next site of training was in Montreal, where Asante trained in clinical research and as a teaching Fellow at Montreal Children's Hospital and McGill University Research Foundation. Asante returned to Vancouver in 1969 and received his Specialist Qualifications from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Pediatrics. UBC also acknowledged him as a Clinical Instructor in Neonatal Pediatrics.

Pediatrics Practice in Northwest Canada

During his training he married and had two daughters. In 1970, Asante took his family to Terrace and commenced an extensive pediatrics practice in North-Western British Columbia and the Yukon. Intending to stay for only two years, this stretched into a twenty year's stint as the sole pediatrician for the region! Being “on-call” took on a whole new meaning.

Researching Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Not only did he practice Pediatric care throughout that time, he became fascinated and passionate about researching a condition that is now known as “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” [FAS]. His special interest and expertise in the developmental challenges of children born to mothers who had consumed alcohol during their pregnancy made him one of the first Pediatricians to research on FAS in Canada. With a grant from Health and Welfare Canada through the Council for Yukon Indians in 1982, Asante continued his breakthrough research including a study on the prevalence in Northwest and Yukon Territory. Moving back to the Vancouver area in 1990, Dr. Asante accepted a position as a Consultant Pediatrician in Maple Ridge, B.C., where he resides today.

In recognition of Dr. Asante's innovative work and research, he was presented with the Senior Member Award by the Canadian Medical Association.

Awards and Recognition

He was appointed to the Review Panel of the Children's Commission of British Columbia from 1997 to 2000. In 2000, the Asante Center for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome opened with the help and efforts of concerned parents and professionals. Dr. Asante works along side other specialists as the Medical Director for the Center, a multi-disciplinary facility for FAS assessments and management. He is an internationally recognised expert in the area of FAS and alcohol related birth defects. Asante has authored publications and reports over the years and has given numerous workshops, educational seminars and participated in the production of several educational videos on the prevention and management of FAS. What gives him the resilience to persevere against all odds? “I saw a need . . . a devastating condition of innocent bystanders (children), affected by their mother's habits” and needed to “educate people about this needless tragedy”.

Her Excellency Adrianne Clarkson, the Governor General of Canada, recognized Dr. Asante for the founding of the Asante Center for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He was awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal in Ottawa, December of 2003. He was one of 30 notable Canadians.

Dr. Asante received the distinguished Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in May 2004. He has been the recipient of many other awards, invitations and honours, including “Friend of Northern B.C. and of the University of Northern British Columbia”.

Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation Director

Dr. Asante joined the Korle-Bu Neuroscience Project in 2001 after learning about the Project through the Ghana Cultural Association of B.C. Recognizing a significant deficiency in neuroscience health care, he saw the project as a tangible way to make a difference. An Executive and Education Committee member, he volunteers as much of his time as he can to assist in the development of human resources, education and promotion. “I see this opportunity as an important resource for children and adults with neurosurgical and neurological problems in Ghana and West Africa”.

Kojo values having a sense of purpose, good health, family and friends as his most precious possessions in life. Success is happiness and having the opportunity to engage in what one enjoys. Married to his beautiful wife Gail, she works by his side both personally and professionally. “She organizes my whole life!” They share an extensive family of children and grandchildren.

Asked what he feels is the responsibility of Ghanaians living abroad, Asante responds: “I think we should help in any way we can to support changes for the Ghanaian citizens, not only financially by sending money to our families but in any way we can to advance the good name and in supporting positive initiatives for the country and region.”