The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has strongly condemned the attempt to experiment Ebola Vaccine on the people of Volta Region.
Health authorities in the country have agreed to experiment the vaccines at Hohoe in the Volta region of Ghana.
According to Starr FM, the University of Health and Allied Sciences is spearheading the project.
Even though the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has refuted claims that the ebola vaccine trial will harm people, the NDC executives in the Volta Region says they will resist any attempt to vaccinate anyone.
Speaking in an interview on PEACE FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', NDC regional Secretary in the Volta Region, Simon Amegashie-Viglo said they are aware of government’s intension to experiment Ebola Vaccine on innocent ‘Voltarians’ at a Research Centre in Hohoe and that they are ready to resist that with all their might.
He said "it is unethical to give GHC 200 and a mobile phone to students and tell them to volunteer; when we don’t have Ebola…how come Volta region was chosen without even the concern of the chiefs. We think it is unfair. There is no evidence of Ebola in Ghana…we have problems of malaria…why should we be concerned with a problem we do not have instead of solving the problems we have".
Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Executives of the NDC have issued a statement to that effect
Below is the full statement:
PRESS RELEASE ON EBOLA VACCINE TRIALS IN THE VOLTA REGION
1. We speak for and on behalf of the NDC in the Volta Region. Our attention has been drawn to a pending Ebola vaccine experiments at an Ebola Research Centre in Hohoe in the Volta Region. We understand the Centre is asking innocent Voltarians to volunteer their lives for this experiment.
2. We want to state that Ghana has no evidence of Ebola outbreak to warrant Ebola vaccination trials. We have cases of malaria, cholera and HIV AIDS among others. We need vaccines or remedies for these diseases.
3. We are not going to sit down for our people to be used as guinea pigs in a needless experiment.
4. Why should a country that is not threatened by Ebola, risk the lives of its citizens for an unnecessary experiment?
5. We are appealing to the Minister of Health to intervene and stop this experiment.
6. We would be grateful if the experiment is canceled completely to prevent the use of innocent Voltarians as guinea pigs.
7. We are appealing to all Voltarians to remain calm and should not risk their lives for GHc 200 and mobile phone.
Signed Kwadwo Gyapong (NDC Regional Chairman) Simon Amegashie-Viglo (NDC Regional Sec) Henry Kojo Ametefee (NDC Regional Org)
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