Category Archives: Editors Choice

Centre for Plant Medicine Research Launches 50th Anniversary Celebration

Centre for Plant Medicine Research Launches 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Africa Trade House in Accra, launching its 50th anniversary celebration. The event was attended by dignitaries from various spheres of life, including government officials, traditional leaders, and media personalities.

The launch, themed “Health and Wealth Power of Plants: Five Decades of Innovation in Plant Medicine Research and Development,” aimed to harness the healing power and wealth of plants through research, development, and collaboration. The celebration seeks to promote plant medicine research and products in Ghana, highlighting the country’s rich botanical heritage and its potential to drive economic growth and improve healthcare outcomes.

The event drew leaders from Ghana’s plant medicine community, government agencies, and corporate partners, including the Ministry for Health, Food and Drugs Authority, and Traditional Medicine Practice Council.

  • Research and Achievements: The Centre has developed over 30 herbal medicines for diseases such as malaria, diabetes, typhoid, and hypertension, which are being used in district, municipal, and metropolitan hospitals across the country.
  • Call for Collaboration: Stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry players to advance plant medicine research and development.
  • Economic Potential: The herbal medicine industry is projected to reach $437 billion by 2032, with Africa’s plant medicine industry poised to compete globally.
  • Board Chairman’s Call to Action: Henry Rockefeller, Board Chairman of CPMR, urged stakeholders to safeguard, promote, and integrate traditional medicine into Ghana’s primary healthcare system.
  • Minister for Health’s remarks presented by Dr. Anesthesia Yirenkyi: The Minister for Health commended the Centre for its work in herbal medicine research and development, highlighting the Centre’s contributions to national healthcare.
  • Guest Speaker’s Insights: Dr. Alfred A. Appiah called for more attention to herbal medicine and its integration into the country’s national health system, citing its economic potential.

The 50th anniversary celebration is a testament to CPMR’s commitment to advancing plant medicine research and development in Ghana. The event marked a significant step towards promoting collaboration, innovation, and investment in the herbal medicine industry.

Building Skills, Advancing Science: CPMR Trains Ethiopian Researchers in Herbal Medicine Innovation

Building Skills, Advancing Science: CPMR Trains Ethiopian Researchers in Herbal Medicine Innovation

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) has opened an exciting new chapter in regional collaboration by welcoming researchers from the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Ethiopia 🇪🇹 for a hands-on training program on Herbal Medicinal Products and Advanced Instrumental Analysis.

This program goes beyond lectures—it immerses participants in the practical world of formulation, quality control, and scientific analysis of herbal medicines. With access to advanced laboratory tools and expert guidance, the researchers are gaining the modern skills needed to ensure that herbal medicines are not only effective but also safe and globally competitive.

For the team from AHRI, the training represents an opportunity to blend Ethiopia’s rich tradition of herbal knowledge with cutting-edge science. For CPMR, it reflects a commitment to sharing expertise, fostering innovation, and building networks that strengthen herbal medicine research across Africa.

Together, these efforts contribute to a future where herbal medicine is recognized as a credible, reliable, and innovative component of healthcare.

📢 3rd Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference (COAM) — Call for Participation & Abstracts

📢 3rd Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference (COAM) — Call for Participation & Abstracts

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), in collaboration with Barbados, is pleased to announce the 3rd Oku Ampofo Memorial Conference (COAM).

Theme:
🌿 “Plant Medicine Research: Harnessing Our Heritage for Health and Wealth”

📅 Date: 3rd – 6th November 2025
📍 Venue: Fiesta Royale Hotel, Accra, Ghana
🤝 Hosted by: CPMR, Ghana

This international conference honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Oku Ampofo, founder of CPMR, and provides a unique platform for researchers, academics, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders to engage in meaningful scientific exchange on the global stage.

We invite participants from around the world to join us in Accra for this important event, as we explore cutting-edge research, share innovations, and strengthen transatlantic collaborations in plant medicine and natural products research.

🔬 Call for Abstracts

Abstract submissions are now open!
Researchers are invited to submit abstracts related to:

  • Herbal medicine and drug discovery
  • Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
  • Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage
  • Plant biodiversity and conservation
  • Policy, regulation, and commercialization of plant-based therapies
  • Sustainable development in natural products research

Submission Deadline: 30th August 2025

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to global conversations that will shape the future of plant medicine for health and economic development across continents.

👉 For abstract submission guidelines and registration details, please visit coam.cpmr.org.gh

We look forward to welcoming you to Accra for COAM 2025!

Research4Life Workshop for Scientists/Researchers of the Center for Plant Medicine Research

Research4Life Workshop for Scientists/Researchers of the Center for Plant Medicine Research

The Center for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), in collaboration with Research4Life and the Ghana Library Association (GLA), is pleased to announce an upcoming Research4Life Workshop. This important event is designed to introduce scientists and researchers of CPMR to the wealth of high-quality peer-reviewed resources available through Research4Life.

About Research4Life:
Research4Life works in partnership with organizations like the Ghana Library Association to provide free or low-cost access to world-class academic and research resources for institutions in low- and middle-income countries. Through this initiative, researchers at CPMR will gain access to over 200,000 resources to enhance their research output, communication, and scientific impact.

Workshop Details:

  • Theme: Access to Quality Research Information Resources for Plant Medicine Research
  • Dates: Thursday, 26th & Friday, 27th June 2025
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day
  • Venue: Center for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong
  • Host: Prof. Alex Asase, Executive Director, CPMR

This workshop represents a unique opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with Research4Life’s extensive database, learn best practices for information retrieval, and explore how these resources can support their ongoing research in plant medicine.

We encourage all scientists and researchers at CPMR to actively participate and take full advantage of this valuable resource to elevate the quality and visibility of their research.

For more information, kindly contact the Center for Plant Medicine Research.

CPMR Trains Herbalists on Advanced Technologies for Solid Herbal Dosage Forms

CPMR Trains Herbalists on Advanced Technologies for Solid Herbal Dosage Forms

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), in collaboration with the Ghana Skills Development
Fund (GSDF) and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Machinery Co. Ltd., is currently undertaking a specialized
training program aimed at equipping herbal practitioners with the technical skills required for the
production of solid dosage forms of herbal medicines.
This training forms part of CPMR’s ongoing commitment to building capacity within the herbal medicine
industry and ensuring high standards in the production of safe, effective, and scientifically validated
herbal products. Through this initiative, participating herbalists are being introduced to state-of-the-art
pharmaceutical machinery and technology recently acquired by the Centre to enhance local production
processes.
The program focuses on practical, hands-on training in the operation and maintenance of these
machines, covering key processes such as granulation, tablet compression, capsule filling, and coating.
These skills are essential for the production of solid dosage forms, including tablets and
capsules—dosage forms that offer precision, convenience, and consistency for both producers and
consumers.
Speaking at the launch of the program, the Executive Director emphasized the importance of technology
transfer and capacity building in positioning Ghana’s herbal medicine industry for both local and
international markets. The Centre aims to empower herbalists to adopt modern manufacturing practices
that align with global standards and regulatory requirements.
CPMR extends its gratitude to the Ghana Skills Development Fund and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals
Machinery Co. Ltd. for their invaluable support in making this training possible.
This initiative underscores CPMR’s role as a leader in the development, standardization, and promotion
of herbal medicine in Ghana and beyond.

Barbados Ambassador Pays Maiden Visit to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research to Strengthen Collaboration

Barbados Ambassador Pays Maiden Visit to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research to Strengthen Collaboration

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) was honoured to host Her Excellency Juliette Bynoe-
Sutherland, the Ambassador of Barbados to Ghana, on her official and maiden visit to the Centre. This
significant visit marks a crucial step in reinforcing the collaboration and partnership between the
Government of Barbados and CPMR in the field of plant medicine research and development.
During the visit, Her Excellency was warmly received by Prof. Alex Asase, the Executive Director of
CPMR, along with some Management Committee members. The visit provided an opportunity for the
Ambassador to familiarize herself with the Centre’s cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities, and
ongoing projects that align with Barbados’ vision of integrating plant-based medicine into its healthcare
and pharmaceutical sectors.
Discussions focused on strengthening existing ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation,
particularly in areas such as medicinal plant research, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and
sustainable utilization of plant resources for healthcare solutions. The visit underscored the shared
commitment of both institutions to advancing scientific innovation for the benefit of public health.
Her Excellency expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and emphasized the importance of
strategic partnerships in harnessing the full potential of plant medicine. She reiterated Barbados’
commitment to deepening its collaboration with CPMR in research, education, and policy development.
The Centre remains dedicated to fostering international partnerships and looks forward to a fruitful
collaboration with Barbados in achieving mutual objectives in plant medicine research.
Stay connected with us for more updates on our initiatives and collaborations!

CPMR #Barbados #PlantMedicineResearch #Innovation #Collaboration #HealthScience

Prof. Alex Asase Inducted into the Corporate Hall of Fame 2024

Prof. Alex Asase Inducted into the Corporate Hall of Fame 2024

We are proud to announce that our distinguished Executive Director, Prof. Alex Asase, has been honored with induction into the Corporate Hall of Fame at its prestigious 8th edition, held on 30th August 2024. This milestone event took place at the renowned La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, bringing together an elite gathering of top executives, industry leaders, and visionaries from across various sectors to recognize and celebrate excellence in leadership, corporate governance, and outstanding achievements.

Prof. Asase’s induction into the Corporate Hall of Fame is a testament to his unparalleled contributions across multiple domains, including his vast experience in academia, where he has made groundbreaking strides, and his dynamic leadership at the Centre. His visionary approach has consistently elevated organizational performance, driving impactful results and ensuring that the Centre remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

Over the years, Prof. Asase has built a legacy of commitment to sustainable development, institutional growth, and the advancement of knowledge. This latest accolade underscores his dedication to both his professional endeavors and his role as a leader, mentor, and change-maker in the corporate world. The Corporate Hall of Fame acknowledges those whose leadership and efforts have inspired significant transformation, and Prof. Asase’s inclusion in this prestigious group reflects his remarkable influence.

As an organization, we are incredibly proud of Prof. Asase’s achievements and are excited to see the continued positive impact his leadership will bring both within the Centre and across the wider community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Alex Asase on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to celebrating many more accomplishments under his leadership.