What initially felt like a major setback in her dream of becoming a medical doctor has led food scientist and researcher Sylvia Baah-Tuahene into a career focused on food safety, public health and scientific research.
Baah-Tuahene, who once hoped to study medicine at the University of Ghana, has described how her inability to gain admission into medical school eventually opened the door to a field she had not previously considered – food science.
Recalling her university experience, she said the popular expression “Medico or suicide” reflected the intense expectations surrounding medical school admission and the disappointment many students faced when they could not secure a place.
For Baah-Tuahene, however, the disappointment did not mark the end of her ambitions.
Her interest in food science developed after she encountered a church speaker on campus who regularly spoke about Nutrition and Food Science. The presentations sparked her curiosity and eventually encouraged her to apply for the programme two years into her university education.
She was admitted and began a journey that has since developed into a professional commitment to food safety, nutrition and public health.
Today, Baah-Tuahene works with the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI), where she is involved in multidisciplinary research connecting food, agriculture and public policy.
One of her major areas of research is aflatoxin contamination, a significant food safety concern affecting crops such as groundnuts and maize.
Aflatoxins are toxic substances produced by certain moulds, including Aspergillus flavus. Exposure to high levels of these toxins can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of liver cancer, weakened immunity and impaired growth among children.
The issue is particularly important in Ghana, where groundnuts are widely consumed and also provide livelihoods for farmers, processors and traders.
As part of her PhD research, Baah-Tuahene is examining how effective existing methods for controlling aflatoxin contamination are along Ghana’s groundnut value chain.
Her work considers practices from the farm through processing and storage, with the broader aim of identifying ways to reduce contamination and improve food safety.
According to her, scientific research should go beyond academic publications and contribute to practical solutions that can influence policy and improve everyday practices.
Her work also extends beyond research. She engages food businesses, communities and young people through education, mentorship and public awareness activities.
Baah-Tuahene speaks to senior high school students about opportunities in food science and STEM-related fields while also supporting small food businesses to better understand food regulations and make evidence-based decisions.
She believes science has its greatest impact when knowledge is translated into actions that improve people’s lives.
For her, this could mean helping a farmer adopt better methods for drying groundnuts, encouraging consumers to understand food labels or helping families make informed decisions about nutrition.
Looking ahead, Baah-Tuahene wants to contribute to innovation in Ghana’s food systems by strengthening the connection between scientific knowledge and traditional practices.
She is particularly interested in empowering women involved in food value chains and supporting policies that promote food safety, nutrition and sustainability.
Her journey, she said, is also a reminder to young people who may feel discouraged when their original plans do not work out.
Baah-Tuahene believes an unexpected career path can still lead to meaningful impact, urging young women especially to remain curious, courageous and committed to their goals.
What began as disappointment over not becoming a medical doctor has ultimately taken her into a field where she is working to address food safety challenges and contribute to a healthier food system in Ghana.
