Audio By Carbonatix
The World Health Organisation says it will not preside over any wrong doing in the much talked about ebola vaccine trials set to be undertaken in Ghana.
The WHO representative in Ghana Dr Magdal Robalo said ethics, safety of the volunteers remain paramount criteria despite the sense of urgency for the trial to be conducted.
"There shall be no wrong doing under our watch," Robalo assured.
The announcement for the trial in Ghana has been met with a barrage of criticisms across the country. MPs have led the charge and unanimously demanded the suspension of the trial pending comprehensive public education.
At a forum to begin the public education the scientists who were to undertake the vaccine trial warned Ghana still faces threats of a possible outbreak of the disease.
They said the spread of the disease on the continent is not over, and the trials would help position Ghana to effectively contain a possible outbreak.
The team has hinted it is still interested in going ahead with the trials despite public objection and government suspension.
They have however reduced the number of volunteers from 36 to 12.
Joy News' Joseph Opoku Gakpo who was present at the forum said participants were concerned about the likely spread of the virus if the vaccines were to be introduced into the country. The scientists were quick to dismiss that assertion.
The participants were also curious about the choice of Ghana for the vaccine trial. They thought that countries which were struck by the virus ought to have been used for the trial and not Ghana.
But organisers of the forum explained that such vaccine trials are best undertaken in countries without the virus and on people who have not contracted the virus. That way, the potency of vaccine could be ascertained.
The participants were also not impressed with the 200 Ghana, one mobile phone incentive for volunteers of the trial.
Prof Fred Binka who is the vice chancellor of the university of Health and Allied Sciences explained that Ho was chosen for the trial because there is a centre at Ho where a number of vaccination trials had been taken and they thought it was prudent to use the same centre for these trials.
Latest Stories
-
Amenfiman Community Bank delivers 71% return on investment to shareholders
21 seconds -
Future NPP government could reopen discontinued criminal cases – Tuah-Yeboah
7 minutes -
Your retention problem isn’t about pay – It’s about progress
7 minutes -
Parliament to push for compensation for GBC over land taken by GRA—Felix Ofosu
9 minutes -
SeamlessHR backs Ghana’s digital transformation agenda at the 10th Ghana CEO Summit
13 minutes -
Gov’t distributes 40,000 bags of fertiliser and drones to farmers under Feed Ghana Programme
21 minutes -
GRASAG welcomes Ghana National Research Fund launch, urges graduate inclusion
22 minutes -
There’s nothing like consensual sexual affair between teacher, student – GES
25 minutes -
EOCO declares Joseph Owusu Badu wanted over alleged investment fraud
25 minutes -
EPA introduces eco-labels for ACs and refrigerators
29 minutes -
Bekwai MP pledges to pursue urgent intervention after flood washes away Edwinase-Kokotro bridge
29 minutes -
Williams sisters receive Wimbledon doubles wildcard
37 minutes -
No one has the right to close any health facility without authorisation – Health Minister justifies KATH CEO suspensioN
38 minutes -
Amorim appointed as AC Milan head coach
40 minutes -
Government denies sale of Ghana International Bank shares after Kofi Bentil raises alarm
42 minutes