The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is set to embark on a groundbreaking initiative to establish a state-of-the-art Animal Research Facility. This facility aims to provide researchers with advanced resources for conducting experiments involving animals, ensuring the ethical treatment and quality of research data.
To kickstart this ambitious project, UCC organized a comprehensive training workshop at the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium. The workshop sought insights from leading experts in the field of animal research facilities to guide the College of Health and Allied Sciences in its endeavor to create a facility that adheres to the highest ethical standards.
Dr. Samuel Adjei, Head of the Department of Animal Experimentation at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, addressed the workshop on the crucial topic of “Animal Experiments: Ethics and Welfare.” Dr. Adjei emphasized the importance of proper housing and management for laboratory animals, highlighting that the well-being of animals directly impacts the reliability of research data.
Criteria for assessing animal research facilities, according to Dr. Adjei, include considerations such as minimal noise, hygiene, and appropriate temperature. He stressed the need for effective management programs to ensure that laboratory animals receive proper care, timely feeding, and rest in conducive environments.
Expressing concern about the treatment of animals in Ghana, Dr. Adjei urged individuals to treat animals with care and dignity, noting that mistreatment could lead to legal consequences under the 1960 Ghana Criminal Code.
During the workshop, Ms. Constance Agbemelo-Tsomafo, a Research Assistant Fellow, presented on “Occupational Health and Safety in Laboratory Animal Care and Use,” while Prof. George Awuku Asare, an Associate Professor at the Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at UG, discussed the “Usefulness, Requirements, and Operation” of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees.
Prof. Samuel Kyei, the Director of the Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre at UCC, expressed gratitude to the participants and underscored the importance of continuous learning and collaboration to ensure the responsible and ethical conduct of animal research.
The workshop, chaired by Prof. Martins Ekor, the Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences, marks a significant step forward in UCC’s commitment to advancing knowledge through cutting-edge and ethical animal research practices.
