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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.
Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodioo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, has assured the Accra Street Academy of his support in achieving its mission of uplifting vulnerable children within the community to break the cycle of poverty. “Without the needed support, your efforts may go round in circles due to the enormity of the task. This should not be left on the shoulders of the Academy alone. You need support from both government and the private sector. With that, the Academy would be in a good position to shape the future of these children on the streets,” he said.
The Accra Street Academy, originally formed in 1985 as a boxing arena, now serves as a school for deprived children, with most of its population numbering hundreds of pupils being neglected children from the streets of Jamestown and its environs. Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie made these remarks at the annual stakeholders’ meeting and fundraising event held over the weekend under the theme “Empowering Street Children: Health and Wellness.” The event is one of the Academy’s annual programmes, organized to raise funds and other forms of support to aid the school in catering to the needs of the children and holding its Christmas get-together.
According to the MP, it is worth noting that these children are taught and provided with two meals and a snack daily through the support of benevolent members of society. In view of this, he promised to facilitate the acquisition of documents needed for the construction of an Astroturf within the school’s premises. He noted that “every child has the right to play, and therefore I pledged to do my best to secure the needed documents” for the project to commence.
The legislator disclosed that over the years, the academic programmes of the Accra Street Academy have transformed children surviving on the streets into successful adults. He therefore urged other members of society to partner with the school to “help pupils rise higher for a better Ghana.” In the 2025/26 academic year, 22 pupils were absorbed by the Accra Metro Education Directorate as they transitioned into various Junior High Schools, while still returning to the Accra Street Academy for academic support.
Ms. Yvonne Abba-Opoku, a chartered governance advisor and senior executive in the nonprofit and charity sector, stated that the best gift to give a child was education.
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Mrs Regina Kudom, Senior Midwifery Officer at the New Atuabo Health Centre in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, has urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinic regularly for safe delivery.
She revealed that “in Tarkwa and its environs many pregnant women prefer staying at prayer camps, we are not against that, you can be there, but when your time is up for your antenatal session make sure you attend.”
Mrs Kudom gave the advice when the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) observed the World Prematurity Day with pregnant women at New Atuabo, Huniso and Awudua health centres.
World Prematurity Day falls on November 17, every year, and it is celebrated to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pre-term babies and their families.
She said research suggested that sex during pregnancy could soften the cervix and potentially aid in labour preparation.
“That is the reason why we encourage pregnant women to have sex with their partners, if they do not have any health implications,” she added.
Mrs Kudom appealed to the GFGF to upgrade the New Atuabo health centre as the current structure was too small because they received many patients daily.
Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for GFGF, explained that they received donations from Project C. U. R. E and the items were given to health facilities in their operational area.
She stated that they noticed there were baby dresses, sanitary pads, and baby apparel, so they decided to distribute them among expectant mothers in three of their host communities.
Madam Mohammed said because the foundation was interested in preventive care, they brought a midwife from the Tarkwa Mine hospital to educate the pregnant women.
She extolled the midwives in New Atuabo health centre for the education they gave to the pregnant women and implored them to heed to the advice given during antenatal visits to reduce maternal deaths in the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities.
Mr Paa Kwasi Egan, Deputy Chief Physician Assistance, emphasised that a pregnant woman being anemic meant she was not eating a balance diet, and added that, “Some of these women do not have money to buy food or visit antenatal clinics.”
He said when men follow their wives for antenatal visits, they would be educated extensively on why they should provide funds for their pregnant wives.
Mr Egan, therefore, encouraged all men to be involved in their pregnant wives’ antenatal care appointments so they could learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. – GNA
