The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, inaugurated a nine–member governing board for the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) in Accra, yesterday.
The board is chaired by Mr Thomas Boateng Appiagyei with Mr Kofi Bobi Barimah, Dr Anastasia Yirenkyi, Professor Kwami Harry Tagbor, Dr Isaac Julius Asiedu-Gyekye, Mrs Delese Darko, Dr Victor Kwame Agyeman, Dr Mauren Mariey and Nana Supi Adawu II, as members.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Manu said the centre for the past three years had been without a governing board, adding that “it is envisaged that this would pose serious limitations on the functionality of the centre.”
According to him, since the establishment of the centre in 1957, as an agency of the ministry, it had contributed immensely towards the development of the herbal industry in the country.
Mr Manu said the centre was expected to research into plant medicine for the promotion, encouragement, extension, transfer and application of scientific research knowledge and the development in the field of plant medicine.
He indicated that the centre since its inception had not seen any major infrastructure development, and it had resulted in limited space for offices, research laboratory and other incidental facilities.
Mr Manu indicated that the board would be guided by the Public Financial Management Act, which places higher responsibilities on the board to ensure proper internal controls and sound financial management in their respective institutions.
He assured the board of the ministry’s support to ensure their mandate was realised.
Mr Appiagyei said members of the board would use their experience in civil, public and private practice to promote scientific research, knowledge and development in plant medicine.
He disclosed that the centre was currently trying to avail itself of the public private partnership model (IDIF), to go into joint ventureship with private investors to enhance its production capacity and generate more funds to help the centre.
“This needs the approval from the board and it is expected that the board would ensure it is done according to the laid down regulations,” Mr Appiagyei said.
BY ABEDUWAA LUCY APPIAH AND MALISA TETTEH
