The true evidence derived from research needed to inform decisions, policies, practice and choices, is usually dispersed in a vast literature. Therefore, relying on the findings of a single study to inform decisions and policy may mislead, particularly when the individual studies answering the same question reach different, sometimes, conflicting conclusions. Evidence-based Medicine requires research evidence that has been distilled through evidence synthesis (systematic review). The research community is also becoming more sensitive towards wastage and trying to avoid redundant research because it wastes the limited funds available to support relevant research. Wastage is of particular concern in Africa where funds for research is limited.

The past 3 decades has seen a paradigm shift in scientific research and Evidence Synthesis (Systematic Review) has emerged as the approach for producing best and reliable (‘gold standard’) evidence upon which sound decisions and policies can be based. The growing application in all forms of decision-making underscores the need for scientists involved in designing and carrying out research as well as decision makers implementing or evaluating strategies, to have sound knowledge in evidence synthesis. In developed countries, systematically generated evidence is used to inform all major decisions and policies, even when planning new research. However, despite its growing demand, the capacity to generate quality evidence is either absent or limited in countries across Africa. At best, decision-makers in these countries are forced to rely on evidence generated elsewhere in developed countries that does not necessarily fit their setting, situation or context.

The overall goal of the Centre for Evidence Synthesis and Policy (CESP), University of Ghana, is to build critical mass of African scientists and institutions including focusing specifically on Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs, University Lecturers, Mid-career Scientists, Early Career and Next Generation Scientists, Post-doctoral Fellows, and PhD and Postgraduate Students, Health Professionals in decision-making levels and policy makers to strengthen the health systems for effective healthcare delivery. The Centre uses gold standard approaches and tools to advance innovative, evidence-informed, policy-relevant and high-quality research across Africa and Low and Middle-Income Countries.

At the Centre, we specialize in: 

• Evidence Synthesis (Systematic review and Meta-analysis)
• Critical Appraisal of Bio-medical Research Evidence
• Evidence-based Medicine (EBM)
• Evidence-based Nursing (EBN)
• Evidence-based Implementation Research (EBIR)
• Evidence-based Guidelines Development (EBGD)
• Clinical Trial and other Epidemiological Study Designs     
• Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• Evidence Briefs (for clinicians, patients, and policy makers who have to make evidence-informed decisions and choices)

The Centre also specializes in setting up Hubs/Centres for institutions and departments in the training of Evidence Synthesis and Translation.