HEPA Plus has launched a US$3,000 seed-funded awards scheme to promote research, innovation and evidence-based practice in herbal medicine, with a call on students, researchers and practitioners to develop scientific solutions capable of transforming healthcare in Ghana and across Africa.
The initiative, known as the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme (HAS), was launched in partnership with the Department of Herbal Medicine of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult during the 25th anniversary celebration of the department at the University’s Great Hall.
The scheme is designed to provide financial support, mentorship, career development opportunities and industry collaboration for young researchers whose innovative ideas have the potential to improve healthcare delivery through herbal medicine.
Research investment
Launching the programme, the Founder of HEPA Plus, Dr. Ebenezer Agyemang, said Africa possesses enormous medicinal plant resources and indigenous healing knowledge, but stressed that the continent must invest in scientific research to fully harness those resources.
According to him, although universities continue to produce quality research annually, many innovative ideas fail to progress beyond academic work because of inadequate funding, mentorship and industry support.
“Our universities produce brilliant research every year, yet many promising ideas never move beyond the classroom because young researchers often lack mentorship, funding and industry support. Today, we are taking a step to change that,” he stated.
He explained that beyond producing quality herbal medicines, HEPA Plus is committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers and innovators who will help position Ghana as a leader in evidence-based herbal medicine.
Objectives
Dr. Agyemang said the awards scheme seeks to encourage scientific research that will promote safe, effective and quality herbal medicines while supporting young researchers capable of making meaningful contributions to healthcare.
He added that the programme also aims at encouraging innovations that could be commercialised to create businesses, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
The initial US$3,000 seed fund, he explained, has been provided through HEPA Plus together with its flagship brands, Pavi and Plasmox, to support promising research projects under the scheme.
Personal journey
Sharing his personal experience, Dr. Agyemang recounted how his journey into herbal medicine entrepreneurship began about 14 years ago while he was a second-year student at KNUST.
He said a lecturer in the Department of Herbal Medicine, Dr. George Henry Sam, gave him GH¢30 to begin research that later developed into the HEPA Plus brand.
“There is absolutely nothing too small as far as support is concerned because its outcome can be massive in the future. I am here today because the Department of Herbal Medicine gave me the needed support,” he said.
He noted that the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme was inspired by that experience and is intended to offer similar opportunities to young researchers with innovative ideas.
Career opportunities
Dr. Agyemang disclosed that outstanding participants would benefit from research grants, mentorship, recognition, career development opportunities and possible employment with Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult.
He expressed confidence that Ghana has the expertise and resources to become Africa’s leading hub for evidence-based herbal medicine research.
He therefore appealed to corporate institutions, philanthropic organisations and development partners to support the initiative to enable more students, researchers and practitioners to benefit from the programme.
Call for collaboration
Speakers at the ceremony, including the Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers to promote herbal medicine through scientific evidence.
They observed that sustained investment in research would improve the credibility, safety and international acceptance of herbal medicine while contributing to improved healthcare delivery.
Dignitaries
The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the KNUST Governing Council, Akyamfour Asafo-Boakye Agyemang Bonsu; the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Asare-Nkansah, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson; the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Christian Agyare; and the Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, **Dr. Bernard Kofi Turkson>.
Also present were lecturers, researchers, students, practitioners and other invited guests.
Applications open
Applications for the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme are now open to students, researchers and practitioners with innovative ideas in herbal medicine.
Interested applicants may apply through www.hepapluspharmacy.com/award or access the application portal by scanning the QR code on any HEPA Plus, Pavi or Plasmox product.
