Accra, (Greater Accra) 10 Jan. '99,

The first Sir Gordon Guggisburg award for excellence in medical science and pharmacology was launched in Accra over the weekend with a call on the government to be committed to the promotion of scientific research and science-related activities. The award scheme, which is being instituted by AFRICAID, a Medical Mission Organisation, is meant to acknowledge the works of scientific researchers from Africa and other nations. This year, 35 scientists from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, France, USA Britain, Germany and the United Nations would be presented with awards at a ceremony in Accra on March 13. The awards are in two categories - foreign and local. Dr E. Evans- Anfom was selected by the six-member award committee as winner of the Gold Award, which is the highest in the local category. Dr Juda Folkman of Harvard School of Medicine, U.S., won the highest foreign award. The Reverend Godwin Mawusi-Pongo, Executive Director of AFRICAID, said the institution of the award scheme in Ghana puts the country in a very important position on the world's map of medicine, "since it is a global programme". He noted that while Ghana boasts of being the gateway to Africa, most organisations in the country are committed to the promotion of entertainment, leaving the serious ventures for countries such as Ivory Coast, Kenya and South Africa. "If Ghana is truly to become the gateway to Africa and surpass the pacesetters, then we should project ourselves as people interested in the promotion of serious programmes and ventures in areas such as agriculture, science and technology, Medicare and communications". Rev Mawusi-Pongo called on the government and private organisations to assist AFRICAID with prizes, which would be given to the winners. He mentioned air-tickets, hotel accommodation, trophies and plaques as some items needed for the awards, saying "we need about 40,000 dollars for cash prizes". Meanwhile, Dr Gottlied Kofi Noamesi, Director of Noamesi Research Laboratory, who won the award for Plant and Herbal Research, has been presented with his award, which is a week-end for two at Golden Tulip Hotel.