It is with heavy hearts and great difficulty that we announce the passing of Prof. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) Sectoral Advisory Board Chair (SAB). Prof. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, May 7, 2022, after a 6-month battle with aggressive cancer.

Prof. Ohene-Frempong was the president of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, director Emeritus of the comprehensive sickle cell center, and a global leader who devoted an increasing amount of time to sickle cell disease work in Africa.  He was an important and inspirational member of the WAGMC team since its inception. As the chair of the SAB for the Centre, he provided strategic advice on all aspects of WAGMC, including education and training activities, and the regional development of genetic health professionals in West Africa.

Prof. Ohene-Frempong dedicated his medical career to improving the lives of people with SCD. WAGMC mourns a great loss. We will continue his legacy to fight sickle cell disease with the same sacrificing passion and imaginative focus that Prof Ohene-Frempong showed.

Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his wife Janet and his daughter Afua at this difficult time.