Accra, Sept 5, GNA - The Konotey-Ahulu Genetic Epidemiology (KAGE) Sickle Cell Foundation dedicated to providing genetic counseling and voluntary family size limitation has been inaugurated in Accra. It will amongst other things provide research on sickle cell patient care and condition, as well as advice on building a modern world class sickle cell disease care unit and hospitalization facility. It was co-launched last Friday by Professor Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council of State, and Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo. In his remarks as the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Awoonor called on all especially parents to advise their children on the sickle cel= l disease and the need to check their status before entering into a relationship.

He urged executives of the Foundation to work hard to expand its horizon to create awareness on the disease. Professor Felix Konotey-Ahulu, Founder and Director of the Foundation, said its inauguration was in response to calls by sickle cell patients to find ways to manage the disease as well as curb its spread. He said it was also to make people take issues of sickle cell serious to prevent their generations from carrying the disease. He said one out of every three Ghanaians possessed sickle cell traits, adding there was the need to identify reputable laboratories to determine the exact nature of a person?s status to save mankind. Professor Konotey-Ahulu also demonstrated the ?kanad?, a genetic tool that he had invented to clarify the difference between the probability of a particular genetic inheritance, and 100 per cent predictability of a particular outcome. In other words, if a person with a particular trait of sickle cell disease does not want to produce children who will suffer as she or he is suffering, it is possible for the ?kanad? to predict accurately the genetic make-up of the future spouse that will guarantee the birth of such children= .. Dr Konotey-Ahulu is Dr Kwegyir Aggrey Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Cape Coast, and Consultant Physician Genetic Counselor in sickle cell and other Haemoglobinopathies at 9-and-10 Harley Street, London. Nene Sakite II commended Professor Konotey-Ahulu for his hard work and dedication to duty, having contributed tremendously to the development of the health sector, both locally and internationally.