Ebola vaccine trial won’t harm Ghanaians – FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has refuted claims that the impending Ebola vaccine trial in Ghana will harm persons who will be used as subjects for the exercise.

The reaction follows an investigation by StarrFMonline.com which revealed clandestine attempts by health authorities in the country to experiment the vaccines at Hohoe in the Volta region of Ghana.

StarrFMonline.com sources revealed that the Hohoe midwifery training school has been selected for the project. As part of an enticement package, students who will allow themselves to be used as ‘guinea pigs’ for the exercise , according to the highly placed source, will be given GHc 200 and a cell phone as reward.

Medical sources have told StarrFMonline.com that the exercise could be catastrophic on its host if not handled well.

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Coalition for Ghana’s Independence Now (CGIN) and the Volta regional branch of the ruling NDC have all spoken against the exercise and called on government to step in.

But at an emergency press conference Monday, the FDA said the vaccines will be harmless on their subjects.

"Science and medical ethics (of the FDA) says the Ebola vaccine trial will not harm Ghanaians, All the ethical issues have been addressed," spokesperson for the Health Ministry posted on his Facebook wall.