Kidney research · Cape Coast, Ghana
Advancing kidney health in Ghana and Africa
Through research, collaboration and evidence-based prevention, we bring together researchers, clinicians and public health experts to understand kidney disease in Ghana and to catch it earlier.
Research highlight of the day
From our research
Who we are
A multidisciplinary kidney research group in Ghana
KRIG brings together researchers, clinicians and public health experts to study the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of kidney diseases in Ghana, to turn that evidence into prevention, early detection and better care, and to train health professionals through continuing professional development (CPD) accredited by the Allied Health Professions Council.
To conduct quality and relevant kidney research and education, and foster collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
To improve the kidney health of Ghanaians through education, training and research.
Research
Our priority research areas
- Acute kidney injury Sudden kidney damage from sepsis, haemolysis, snakebite or pregnancy complications.
- Polycystic kidney disease The commonest inherited kidney disease, with little data from West Africa.
- Heat stress nephropathy Kidney injury in outdoor and manual workers exposed to heat.
- CKD of unknown origin Chronic kidney disease without diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Genetics of kidney diseases APOL1 and other inherited risks in people of West African ancestry.
Kidney health check
Kidney disease is silent until it is advanced. Are you at risk?
Answer a few questions to see whether you should ask for a kidney test. Health workers can calculate eGFR and KDIGO stage in seconds.
News and events
Latest from KRIG
Leadership
Led by experienced scientists and clinicians
Join us in tackling kidney disease in Ghana
Students, researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partner institutions are welcome.
About KRIG
Kidney Research Initiative Ghana is a multidisciplinary research group dedicated to advancing research on, and awareness of, kidney diseases in Ghana and across Africa.
Who we are
A multidisciplinary research group based in Ghana
Advance kidney health in Ghana and Africa through research, collaboration and evidence-based prevention strategies.
Kidney Research Initiative Ghana (KRIG) is dedicated to advancing research on, and awareness of, kidney diseases in Ghana and across Africa. The initiative brings together researchers, clinicians and public health experts to study the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI).
The group focuses on generating locally relevant scientific evidence to inform prevention, early detection and management strategies for kidney diseases. Through these efforts, KRIG aims to strengthen kidney research capacity in Ghana and contribute to global nephrology research while addressing the growing burden of kidney disease in the region.
What we do
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Epidemiological studiesCommunity and hospital studies on who develops kidney disease in Ghana, and why.
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Systematic reviews and meta-analysesPooling Ghanaian and African evidence so that policy rests on more than a single study.
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Training and CPDContinuing professional development (CPD) training for health professionals, accredited by the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), and workshops and seminars that build research skills among students and scientists, including the Kidney Research Seminar Series run with the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, UCC. About our training
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Community awareness programmesTaking kidney health education into communities, where most disease starts unnoticed.
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CollaborationsWorking with universities and healthcare institutions in Ghana and beyond.
KRIG exists to conduct quality and relevant kidney research and education, and foster collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
To improve the kidney health of Ghanaians through education, training and research.
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Equity
- Respect for all
Where our studies take place
- Urban and rural communities, Central Region
- Abura Market, Cape Coast
- Cocoa-farming communities
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi
- Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
- Saltpond District Hospital
Leadership and team
KRIG is led by scientists and clinicians from the University of Cape Coast and partner institutions. Open a profile to see each person’s kidney research.
Leadership and governance
Students
Scientific researchers
Research
We generate locally relevant evidence on kidney disease in Ghana to guide prevention, early detection and management.
Priority research areas
Five areas guide our research agenda. Some build on work we have already published; others are new areas where we are building teams and partnerships.
Acute kidney injury
A sudden loss of kidney function over hours or days. In Ghana it is often triggered by sepsis, malaria-related haemolysis, snakebite, dehydration and complications of pregnancy. Much of it is preventable or reversible when caught early.
Polycystic kidney disease
An inherited condition in which fluid-filled cysts grow in both kidneys and gradually reduce their function. It is the most common inherited kidney disease worldwide, yet data from Ghana and West Africa are scarce.
Heat stress nephropathy
Kidney injury from repeated heat exposure and dehydration, especially among outdoor and manual workers. Rising temperatures make it a growing concern for farmers, traders and labourers in Ghana.
CKD of unknown origin
Chronic kidney disease that occurs without the usual causes such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Elsewhere it clusters in farming and mining communities, with possible links to heat, dehydration, agrochemicals and heavy metals such as mercury. Its extent in Ghana is not yet known.
Genetics of kidney diseases
Some kidney diseases run in families. Variants in the APOL1 gene, common in people of West African ancestry, raise the risk of kidney disease. Understanding such genes can sharpen screening and care in Ghana.
Themes in our published work
Our work grows out of medical laboratory science and clinical nephrology. Pick a theme to see what we ask, what we have found and the papers behind it.
Student research projects
KRIG students lead their own studies with guidance from our researchers. Here is what they are working on.
Are you a KRIG student? and we will add it here.
Research funding
Grants and fellowships for kidney and metabolic research
A checked list of international funders, showing who can apply, what each scheme pays for and when calls close.
Why it matters
Kidney disease in Ghana is common, and often found late
Most of the causes are preventable or treatable when caught early. Dialysis is costly and concentrated in a few regions, so prevention and early detection matter most.
Sources
- Afrifa J, et al. Prevalence and causes of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2026;16(1). doi:10.1007/s44197-026-00531-0
- The Ghana Renal Registry: a first annual report. African Journal of Nephrology. journals.ac.za/ajn/article/view/4545
Publications
Selected peer-reviewed papers by KRIG researchers. Search by keyword or author, filter by theme, and copy a ready-made citation. Names in bold are KRIG researchers.
Publication list
Research funding
International grants and fellowships for kidney and metabolic disease research. For each one we show who can apply, what it pays for and when it closes, with a link to the funder’s own page.
Coming up
The next deadlines, with schemes open to applicants in Ghana first
Funding opportunities
Before you apply
- Read the funder’s own guidance. Eligibility and dates change from year to year.
- Several schemes need membership first (ISN, ASN, ERA, EASD). Join well before the deadline.
- Ask your institution early for letters of support and budget approval.
Need a collaborator?
Planning a kidney or metabolic study in Ghana? KRIG welcomes partners, co-investigators and students.
Know a grant we missed?
Send us the link. We will check it and add it to the list.
Training and CPD
KRIG organises continuing professional development (CPD) training for health professionals, accredited by the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), Ghana, and research training for students and early-career scientists, so that kidney disease is found earlier and managed better across Ghana.
Continuing professional development
Accredited by the Allied Health Professions CouncilCPD training for health professionals
Our CPD sessions bring current kidney research and guidelines to the people who test, diagnose and treat patients. They draw on the expertise of KRIG’s nephrologists, chemical pathologists and medical laboratory scientists.
- Who it is for
- Allied health professionals, including medical laboratory scientists, and other health workers in hospitals, laboratories and primary care
- Accreditation
- Accredited by the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), Ghana. The number of CPD points is given when each session is announced.
- For your team
- Hospitals, laboratories and professional associations can ask us to run a session
Example topics
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Finding chronic kidney disease earlyeGFR with the CKD-EPI 2021 equation, urine albumin testing and KDIGO staging.
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Acute kidney injuryRecognising and preventing acute kidney injury in hospital, in pregnancy and after snakebite.
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Kidney disease alongside other conditionsProtecting the kidneys in diabetes, hypertension and sickle cell disease.
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Laboratory assessment of kidney functionSpecimen handling, quality control and interpreting kidney function tests.
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Evidence and research skillsAppraising studies, systematic reviews and data analysis for clinical practice.
Tell us what your team needs and we will shape the session around it.
Research training
Building the next generation of kidney researchers
For students and early-career scientists who want to learn research by doing it.
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Kidney Research Seminar Series
Online seminars run with the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, UCC. The 2026 seminar covered acute kidney injury in pregnancy and chronic kidney disease.
See the 2026 seminar -
Systematic review and meta-analysis class
Supports undergraduate and graduate learners as they develop their own systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Apply as a student member -
Mentorship in ongoing studies
Student and early-career members take part in KRIG studies with guidance from experienced researchers.
See student projects
Upcoming sessions
New CPD sessions and seminars are announced on our News page and on LinkedIn. Register your interest to hear about the next one.
Kidney health check
Kidney disease rarely causes symptoms until it is advanced. Use the first tool to see whether you should ask for a kidney test. The second is for health workers who need an eGFR and KDIGO stage.
Am I at risk?
Tick anything that applies to you
Your answers stay on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Protect your kidneys
- Check your blood pressure
- Keep blood sugar under control
- Stay active, keep a healthy weight
- Eat less salt and processed food
- Drink enough water, especially in the heat
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid regular painkillers without advice
- Get tested if you are at risk
This checklist is for education. It cannot diagnose kidney disease; only a urine and blood test can.
eGFR calculator
A CKD diagnosis needs reduced eGFR or kidney damage persisting for more than 3 months, so confirm with repeat tests. The equation is not valid in acute kidney injury, pregnancy or at extremes of muscle mass. Sources: Inker LA, et al. N Engl J Med 2021;385:1737–49; KDIGO 2024 CKD guideline.
News and events
New research from our team, and upcoming events in kidney health.
News and events list
Join KRIG
We welcome students, researchers, clinicians, laboratory scientists, public health professionals and volunteers who want to help tackle kidney disease in Ghana and across Africa.
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Contact us
Partner with us, invite us to your community or ask a question. We reply by email.
Ways to work with us
Work with us on kidney health
We welcome partners who want to generate evidence, share it with communities, or train the next generation of kidney researchers in Ghana.
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Collaborate on research
Universities, hospitals, laboratories and funders: co-design studies, share data or join a systematic review.
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Host an awareness programme
Schools, churches, mosques, markets and workplaces: invite us for a kidney health talk or workshop.
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Students and early-career researchers
Looking for a project, mentorship or training in systematic reviews and kidney epidemiology? Apply to join as a student member.
Apply to join -
CPD training for your team
Hospitals, laboratories and professional associations: ask us to run an AHPC-accredited CPD session on kidney health.
Send us a message
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Open it in your email app and press send, or copy it into any email to .
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Email
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Kidney check tools
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