CPMR hosts 2nd Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference to leverage herbal medicine research for economic transformation

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), on Wednesday, November 8, kickstarted the 2nd Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference in Accra.

The three-day Conference being held at the AH Hotel, East Legon is focusing on leveraging Herbal Medicine Research for the economic transformation of the country.

In addition, the Centre for Plant Medicine Research hopes that the Conference and its related activities will continue to drum the importance of traditional medicine especially herbal medicine aloud for the needed attention and support from the government, private sector, and society at large.

The conference which will be climaxed on Friday, November 10, is under the theme; "Herbal Medicine Research- A Panacea for Economic Transformation”.

Delivering a keynote address at the Conference, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare who is the presidential adviser on health stressed that the importance of herbal medicine and natural products cannot be taken for granted.

He said there is a need to invest in natural products as it has the potential to grow the Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Personal Care industries.

Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare

He said focusing on natural foods and herbal medicine will provide an avenue for job creation to give the unemployed Ghanaian youth jobs to do while also providing export opportunities.

Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare in his address assured that the government will do its bid to support the Centre for Plant Medicine Research in its work.

“It is of utmost importance to take into account sustainability, ethical principles, and the preservation of biodiversity when participating in natural product research.

“We will be looking forward to this week’s conference that you have opened here and use the findings that will come out from the conference to inform the strategic plan that this government wants to have for this nation,” Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare said.

In his address, the Executive Director of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapem, Prof. Alex Asase said the Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference has come to stay.

He said it has become a formidable platform for which research scientists, practitioners, manufacturers, policymakers and other key stakeholders across the world will converge to network, deliberate, collaborate, exchange ideas and partner concerning plant medicine.

Prof. Alex Asase

Prof. Alex Asase further stressed that the prospects of herbal medicine in economic transformation cannot be overemphasized.

He said that the Centre for Plant Medicine is proud to host this year’s conference and will continue doing its work to not only improve the health and well-being of Ghanaians but also play its part in the economic transformation of the country.

About Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference:
The conference is organized in honour of Dr. Oku Ampofo, a great medical practitioner, artist and pan-Africanist. Dr. Oku Ampofo is the founder and first Director of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research. The Centre therefore deems it necessary to honour him after this conference.

The 1st Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference was successfully organized last year at this same venue under the theme “Medicinal Plant Research- innovation and Prospects in a Pandemic Era”.

About CPMR:
The Centre for Plant Medicine Research has an important role in achieving integrative healthcare in Ghana. The Centre formally known as the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine was established in 1975 to conduct research into plant medicine. This includes the promotion, encouragement, extension, transfer and application of scientific knowledge and development in the field of plant medicine.

The Centre has so far developed 37 herbal products for the management of both communicable and non-communicable diseases through its scientific research and development programs. Two of these products, namely, Immunim and Ampoforte were developed as immune boosters during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Centre runs an outpatient clinic where herbal medicines are administered to our esteemed clients.

On average 60 patients are seen daily. The Centre also undertakes analysis of herbal products in support of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) registration as well as provides training for herbal manufacturers in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Nana Chairman, these programs and activities of the Centre are significant in terms of promoting integrative healthcare in Ghana. It is important to acknowledge the support of various stakeholders and also to indicate that when given more resources the Centre can do more!