HEPA Plus has committed an initial US$3,000 seed fund to support research and innovation in herbal medicine through the launch of the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme (HAS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Department of Herbal Medicine, KNUST, and Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult, is designed to promote evidence-based herbal medicine by providing funding, mentorship and career development opportunities for students, researchers and practitioners.

The launch formed part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the Department of Herbal Medicine, KNUST, and was held at the university’s Great Hall.

Speaking at the event, the Founder of HEPA Plus, Dr Ebenezer Agyemang, said Africa’s rich endowment of medicinal plants and indigenous healing knowledge must be backed by scientific research and innovation to unlock their full potential.

He noted that HEPA Plus is committed not only to producing quality herbal medicines but also to investing in research and developing the next generation of herbal medicine innovators.

“Our universities produce brilliant research every year, yet many promising ideas never move beyond the classroom because young researchers often lack mentorship, funding and industry support. Today, we are taking a step to change that,” he stated.

According to Dr Agyemang, the awards scheme seeks to promote safe, effective and high-quality herbal medicine through scientific research, support young researchers with the potential to make meaningful contributions to healthcare, and encourage innovation capable of creating businesses, jobs and lasting impact.

He explained that the US$3,000 seed capital has been provided through HEPA Plus and its flagship brands, Pavi and Plasmox, to support promising research projects under the awards scheme.

Sharing his personal story, Dr Agyemang recounted how, about 14 years ago, while in his second year at KNUST’s Department of Herbal Medicine, he received ₵30 from his lecturer, Dr George Henry Sam, to begin research that eventually led to the development of the HEPA Plus brand.

“There is absolutely nothing too small as far as support is concerned because its outcome can be massive in the future. I am here today because the Department of Herbal Medicine gave me the needed support,” he said.

He noted that the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme was inspired by that experience and is intended to provide similar opportunities for young researchers to transform innovative ideas into practical healthcare solutions.

Dr Agyemang disclosed that outstanding participants would receive recognition, mentorship, research support, career development opportunities and possible employment with Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult.

He expressed optimism that Ghana has the capacity to become a continental leader in evidence-based herbal medicine research and innovation and appealed to corporate organisations and development partners to support the initiative, enabling more students and practitioners to benefit.

The Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, KNUST, together with other speakers, underscored the need to strengthen research, innovation and collaboration to advance herbal medicine through scientific evidence, stressing that sustained investment in research would enhance the credibility and global acceptance of herbal medicine.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the KNUST Governing Council, Akyamfour Asafo-Boakye Agyemang Bonsu; the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof Samuel Asare-Nkansah, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof Rita Akosua Dickson; the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Christian Agyare; the Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, Dr Bernard Kofi Turkson; as well as lecturers, researchers, students and other invited guests.

Applications for the HEPA Plus Awards Scheme are now open to researchers, students and practitioners interested in advancing herbal medicine through scientific research and innovation.