News

COAFS adhering FDA directives

The Centre of Awareness (COA) Herbal Centre has disassociated itself from publication in some sections of the media that, their product, COAFS, had been approved as the cure of COVID-19.

The denial was contained in a press release signed by Dr Deladem Kisseih, Client Relations Officer of COA on May 25, 2020.

“We wish to state that, COAFS has not been approved as cure for COVID-19 by any institution.

COAFS was part of the herbal products submitted to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Akuapem Mampong for evaluation towards the management of COVID-19.

According to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Akuapem Mampong, the preliminary evaluation of the results indicated that COAFS was among the first batch of the nine selected products recommended to the Ministry of Health.

It stated further that, COA Herbal Center further dissociates itself from leaked reports suggesting that, independent tests conducted on COAFS food supplement confirm that the product is not contaminated.

The report on the independent test, which was conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been extensively reported by some media houses and online portals, creating the erroneous impression that, COA Herbal Center is influencing such a media campaign.

“We wish to state that, COA Herbal Center, acting upon the directive of the FDA, has since ceased production, recalled our products from the market, and submitted the same to the FDA which was safely disposed off on May 22, 2020.”

The leaked test results from the Food Research Institute, which is under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the results of the numerous trial samples sent to the institute and the Centre for Plant Medicine Research for analysis, to try our lines after major renovations.

We, therefore, want to state unequivocally that, we are not behind such publications and as a genuine organisation, which cherishes the rule of law, we would not do anything that will undermine the authority and power of the FDA.

Indeed, a meeting with stakeholders and government will be held this week to deliberate on the recommendation by the Center for Plant Medicine Research and the way forward.

The question is, why would COAFS engineer such publications to pre-empt Tuesday’s meeting?

“This media campaign is the handiwork of some diabolic minds who don’t wish COAFS well.”

“It must, therefore, be on record that COA Herbal Center is strictly complying with directives by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA). We have recalled all the specific batch numbers from the market6 as directed by the FDA. Furthermore and more importantly, the company has embarked on several steps to ensure that its manufacturing site in Cape Coast conforms to the best hygienic practices in the world.

“The production site in the Central Region has seen some major facelifts that will ensure that COAFS products are produced under strict hygienic conditions which conform to international best practices.

“We want to state that, COA Herbal Center is committed to delivering quality, effective, efficient, and efficacious product to consumers and will, therefore, comply with all directives by the FDA. Currently, the products is off the market.

“We, therefore, urge the general public to disregard the current media publications regarding the tests and wait patiently for the FDA’s final report, which is recognised by law,” it added.

News

Greater Accra Regional Minister calls on traders to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has called on traders in the city to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion and maintain cleanliness in market centres.

Speaking with traders at the Kaneshie Market on February 4, 2025, during a tour of selected market centres to assess sanitation challenges, reinforce government commitment to address indiscriminate refuse disposal, and improve market conditions, the minister called for collaboration between traders and local authorities to address sanitation and maintain order.

She assured the new government’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving market conditions in Accra as part of its broader agenda for a cleaner city.

“We are here to engage you in a conversation about our mission to improve cleanliness in Greater Accra. We are taking into account the conditions of the roads, your problems, and your suggestions. Most walkways have been taken over by traders instead of serving their original purpose, which leads to traffic congestion. We want to understand your challenges so that we can find the best way to assist you,” the Minister stated.

The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ( GARCC) led by the Chief Director of the GARCC, Mrs. Lilian Baeka, some staff from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) and other sister assemblies in the Region used the opportunity to enquire about the state of waste disposal within the market and the efficiency of refuse collection by the assemblies.

“Does it take long for the refuse to be collected after it is gathered? These are some of the issues we want to address,” she added, inviting traders to share their thoughts.

The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mrs. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan who welcomed the minister, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured traders commitment to rally support behind her as a woman in leadership.

”In the market, we face numerous challenges we wish to discuss. There are various groups of traders with some selling at the top, others beneath, while some can be relocated, others should be removed. However, we must follow due process to ensure that people’s livelihoods are not affected. She cannot do it alone, and we are ready to support her efforts,” she stated.

She noted that efforts to regulate trading activities, especially on the Kaneshie overhead footbridge, had proven difficult despite continuous engagements with the police.

Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan identified street trading as a major concern, explaining that it had significantly affected business inside the main markets.

“Our major problem is those selling outside. Because of them, the market is now dry. Almost everyone has moved onto the streets. They are our brothers and sisters, and we want them inside the market. There are a lot of vacant spaces they can occupy,” she said.

On sanitation, she remarked that significant progress had been made, stressing that previously, the Kaneshie market was associated with rubbish, but the story had changed for good.

News

President John Mahama submits list of Deputy Ministers

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 13 people to serve as deputy ministers in his government.

In accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution, President Mahama submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval to serve as Deputy Ministers.