Ghana has the potential to earn more than $30 billion per year from medicines made from natural plants. The windfall is intended to help treat some of the world's most difficult-to-treat diseases while also providing economic assistance to the country.
Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of COA Research and Manufacturing Company Limited, stated this at the launching of COA mixture in Accra.
"The implication is that the COA research and production firm is on the verge of a breakthrough, and if it does, Ghana will reap enormous benefits," he said.
As a result, he urged the government, research institutes, and investors to work together to help the firm turn its vision into reality.
Prof. Duncan emphasized the need of global health being given critical and serious attention since it is one of the primary factors affecting global peace.
"When you're unwell, your tranquility suffers." More people are killed by diseases than by warfare. Even though death is unavoidable, some deaths occur at inopportune times," he said.
Prof. Duncan, who was speaking at the release of COA Mixture, a general well-being pharmaceutical developed by COA Research and Manufacturing Company Limited, gave instances, saying that during the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, 28,616 cases were documented, with 11,310 deaths.
Furthermore, he stated that as of May 21, 2022, approximately 6.3 million people had died prematurely as a result of COVID-19, and that the World Health Organization estimated that 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2019, with 1.5 million new infections occurring each year.
"An estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths were documented in the year 2000," he continued.
As a result, he requested that research into discovering cures for ailments be promoted and funded.
GMA is a joy.
Dr Titus Kofi Beyuo, the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, expressed joy with the firm's participation, noting that "we are cognizant of the fact that we are in an era of evidence-based" and commending the company for the scientific process employed in the medicine's development.
"Professor Duncan has set the tone for the rest of us to follow. We will all accept it after it has been tried and proven to be effective. We will welcome you once you develop items that are moral."
He stated that there is no contradiction between orthodox and traditional medicine, emphasizing that as long as all procedures are followed, there would be no issues.
Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, the company's Board Chairman, expressed the company's dedication to the expansion of plant medicine in the country.
Dr. Kofi Donkor of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research in Akuapem Mampong, who gave a presentation on COA Mixture, claimed that numerous tests of the drug done out on animals for six months indicated that it had no effect on their internal organs.
As a result, he explained, when people take the prescription, it will have no effect on them.
The new COA Mixture was unveiled by the Asakyirihene (Benkum Division) of the Kumasi Traditional Council, Nana Mensa Bonsu (Prof Edward Badu), who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with the help of the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, and Daasebre Ewusi VII.