Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan
The Center for Awareness (COA) has launched a new herbal product, ‘COA Mixture’ for general wellbeing.
The ‘COA Mixture’ replaces the previous COA FS which was registered as a food supplement by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of COA, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, speaking at the launch of the new product, said COA Mixture is an improved version of COA FS adding that although the product has a new name, it contains the same ingredients in an improved form.
He noted the FDA in March this year detected some contamination of COA FS products and therefore ordered their recall from the market.
“The Centre quickly recalled all its registered products from the market valued at GH¢1,680,000 with the help of the FDA and destroyed these products,” he said.
Prof. Duncan further noted that because the safety and quality of COA products are a priority, the Centre started working with the FDA to put all corrective measures in place to prevent any possible contamination.
“We formed a new company, COA Research and Manufacturing Company Limited, to see further research and manufacturing of COA products. We built a new structure to facelift the old factory to international standards and we purchased and installed new automated equipment to reduce human contact and also improve the quality of our new product,” he said.
He also indicated that the Centre engaged FDA to train its technical and non-technical staff on good manufacturing practices adding that the measures put in place to improved the product of the COA cost not less than GH¢10,000,000.
He said with the new measures in place COA is now in a better position to produce good quality products which meet international standards.
Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Freddie Blay, who graced the occasion as the special guest of honour expressed satisfaction at the measures put in place by the COA to improve its products.
He called on all to support the Centre so it can excel and help in the socio-economic development of the country by creating more jobs for citizens.
Nana Dr Appiagyei Dankawoso I, who chaired the occasion, urged the staff of COA to give their best to compliment the huge investment made by Prof. Duncan.
He assured the COA of the support of traditional leaders to make its products internationally competitive.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri