The story of a Ghanaian-born, Derry doctor whose research saved millions of lives in Africa is to be told as part of a new 'hidden history' project.
Dr Raphael Armattoe, whose research into the use of the abochi drug against human parasites led to his nomination for a Nobel Prize, was based in Derry during the Second World War and operated a medical practice at his home on the Northland Road during the 1940s.
His story will be among those highlighted in a new 'Black Heritage in NI: Hidden History Project' run by the Derry-based charity North West Migrants Forum.
Read more: Barry McGuigan and NI radio host rumoured for I'm A Celebrity
Dr Armattoe studied in Germany and is thought to have moved to France following the rise of the Nazis.
He later moved to Edinburgh and qualified to practice medicine, before taking up a position as a locum in Belfast.
He moved to Derry when he was appointed to the Civil Defence First Aid Post in Brooke Park in 1939, a position he held during the course of the Second World War. He opened a medical practice on the Northland Road, where he lived after the war.
He became famous following the publication of his 1946 book The Golden Age of West African Civilization, with a foreword later written by the physicist Erwin Schrödinger - a friend of Dr Armattoe's.
In 1947, he attended the Nobel Prize laureation ceremonies with Schrödinger as the only African amongst the thousands of intellectuals invited.
His work on the development of the Abochi drug and its use in treating various water-borne diseases earned him a Nobel Prize nomination.
He left Derry in 1950 for Kumasi, where he set up a medical clinic, and in 1953 he fell ill en route to New York where he was to address a UN committee. He sadly died at the age of just 40 on December 21, 1953.
His story will be told as part of the Hidden History project that explores the "hidden contributions made by black people to Northern Ireland".
A spokesperson for the North West Migrants Forum said: "The heritage project aims to mainstream black history in Northern Ireland and will emphasise the local stories of black people and highlight the contributions black people have made to everyday life. It will apply a global lens, connecting the history of Northern Ireland to the history of slavery, colonialism, segregation and black innovation."
Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum Lilian Seenoi Barr, who is also Mayor of Derry, said: "“Black people can be viewed as outsiders and ‘newcomers’, even though they settled here decades, in some cases even centuries, ago. The Hidden History Project aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps through education, discussion, debate and by celebrating the contributions black people have made and continue to make to our society and our communities.”
The North West Migrants Forum has been awarded £500,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project.
Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·