Professor John Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Innovation and Development at University of Ghana, Legon has inaugurated the Ghana Association of Administrators of Research Ethics Committees (GHAAREC).

He said Ethical Review Committees (ERC) should not to be an impediment to research.

The Committees are designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans, which sometimes delay in approving clearance for research to commence.

GHAAREC is made up of 14 ERCs in the country coming from research institutions with the aim of creating a platform for networking, sensitise the public and research stakeholders about the need for proper research ethics as well as promote the rights, welfare and safety of research participants through efficient and effective research ethics administration.

ERC is also referred to as Institutional Review Board, Independent Ethics Committee, Ethical Review Board or Research Ethics Board.

Prof Gyapong tasked the Committee to acknowledge that research adds on to the knowledge; “therefore you should not delay in giving clearance for commencement of research”.

He recounted the challenges researchers have faced in the mid-1980s when there were no review committees and researchers had a hard time getting clearance for their work.

The purpose of the review process he explained is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in a research study.

He tasked members of the Association to always share the Standard Operating Procedures among themselves to ensure credibility.

“It will also help you to be confident of the fact that processes or procedures being used at Navrongo Health Research Institute are similar to what is being used at Dodowa Health Research Institute and this makes the certificate issued credible,” he said.

A key goal of ERC is to protect human subjects from physical or psychological harm, which they attempt to do by reviewing research protocols and related materials.

Ms Helena Baidoo President of GHAAREC pledged the commitment of members to ensure that administrators have a better understanding of the essential roles of REC as well as share best practices.

She said the Association would ensure that members adhere to high ethical research standards and exhibit professionalism of all administrators.