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Stop using our brand to market substandard drugs …COA President warns
Prof Samuel Ato Duncan
The President General of COA Research and Manufacturing Company, producers of COA Mixture, Prof Samuel Ato Duncan has warned alternative drug producers to desist from using the COA brand to market their medicines.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, Prof. Duncan said there had been a worrying trend where some herbal medicine producers deceive the public by associating their product to the COA brand.
The development, he said, was an affront to the practice and threatened to seek legal action if they do not stop.
He added that, “the COA formula is unique and confidential. I am the only one with the formula and even my wife and children do not have; so there is nothing on the market like COA.”
“Those imitating the drug and presenting it as the same as COA are warned. We have consulted the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and if it continues, the laws would catch up with them,” he added.
The company, he said, was committed to the wellbeing of Ghanaians and also complement government’s efforts of providing quality healthcare to citizens.
“The wellbeing of humanity is our priority, hence we try to give the best to the public and do not want any unwanted attention,” he stressed.
Since 2006, he mentioned that the company has not changed the prices of any of its three products currently on the market, the COA Mixture, COA Plus Mixture and COA MT.
“We have carefully and scientifically produced the mixtures with millions of dollars invested since we are interested in producing to meet international standard,” he added.
He said, the company was committed to price stability while prioritising the health of Ghanaians across the country.
COA Mixture, he reiterated, was mainly a supplement and immune booster which support the general well-being of people and does not cure diseases like, cancers, kidney diseases and HIV/AIDS as sometimes misconstrued.
“COA mixtures are not registered for cures. Their purpose is your well-being and not replace traditional medical treatment for serious illness,” he explained.
“Plant-based medicine is the future of healthcare and we are committed to making Ghana a global hub for alternative natural medicine,” he stated.
On her part, the First Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COA, Princess Duncan also advised the public to be wary of substandard drugs paraded to be similar to COA.
“We have built our company with integrity and have a strong reputation when it comes to trust. We assure customers that we are working to address the issues and guarantee their safety,” she added.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says more than 15,000 Ghanaian workers have lost their jobs following a directive issued by the Chief of Staff.
According to him, the dismissals affected not only people employed after the 2024 general elections, as stated in the directive, but also workers who had been lawfully employed as far back as 2017.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Minority uncovered evidence showing serious excesses in the implementation of the directive.
“We became aware that although the letter was specific to those recruited after the 2024 elections, Ghanaian youth who were employed as far back as 2017 were all dismissed from their lawful employment,” he said.
He explained that the Minority filed a motion in Parliament to investigate the matter, which was admitted by the Speaker. However, the process has faced several delays.
According to him, the Majority Leader raised a preliminary objection to the motion, which was upheld by the First Deputy Speaker. The Minority later filed a motion for review under the rules of Parliament, which was also admitted.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the review motion was moved by him and seconded by the Member of Parliament for Ofoasi- Ayirebi, while the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor , began the debate on behalf of the Majority side.
He noted that the House was expected to continue the debate the following Tuesday to allow the Speaker to rule on the matter, but this has not happened due to other parliamentary business.
“Several times the motion appeared on the Order Paper, but we could not take it,” he stated.
The Minority Leader stressed that the delay is having serious consequences for affected workers and their families.
“This is a matter that affects the livelihood of Ghanaians. We have in excess of 15,000 Ghanaian youths affected by this directive, and they are still at home,” he said.
He added that the Minister for Employment has acknowledged receiving petitions on the issue and has initiated investigations, but said that should not stop Parliament from carrying out its own inquiry.
“These Ghanaian youths are sitting at home. Their wives, their extended families are all affected. It has been over a year, and they are not getting any justice,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin appealed to the Leader of Government Business to ensure that the motion is included in Parliament’s report and debated to allow the House to make a final decision on the matter.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Director of Communications for the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has expressed strong disappointment following the Supreme Court decision to quash the rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election.
Mr Owusu made his views known while reacting to the ruling, stressing that he would feel deeply disappointed if he were in the position of Matthew Nyindam, the current Member of Parliament for Kpandai.
He explained that the High Court had earlier examined the case in detail and arrived at a clear determination on the matter.
According to him, the High Court found that the election was compromised and that rigging took place with the involvement of the Electoral Commission.
Mr Owusu pointed out that when the New Patriotic Party moved the case to the Supreme Court, it did not challenge the substance of the High Court findings.
He stated that the appeal was based purely on a point of law, arguing that the National Democratic Congress was time barred when it went to court, and not that the alleged rigging did not occur.
In his view, this means that Mr Nyindam remains in Parliament through an election process that did not reflect the true will of the people of Kpandai.
Mr Owusu noted that this was why he had expected a rerun of the election, to allow the MP to return to the constituency and properly establish his authority through the ballot.
He explained that a rerun would have given Mr Nyindam the opportunity to prove that he genuinely won the 2024 parliamentary election.
With the rerun now quashed, Mr Owusu questioned how the MP could celebrate or take pride in the court outcome.
He stressed that he would no longer take contributions made by Mr Nyindam in Parliament seriously, as the legitimacy of his mandate remains questionable in his view.
Mr Owusu further argued that the Supreme Court decision has shortchanged the people of Kpandai.
He described the ruling as unfair to voters who woke up early on election day, queued patiently, and voted for a candidate of their choice, only for their will to be undermined.
According to him, the outcome raises serious concerns about justice, electoral credibility, and respect for the democratic rights of the people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
