DAY ONE - MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONIES

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

 

Arrival and registration of participants and guests.

 

09:00 AM - 09:10 AM

 

Opening Prayers by a Traditional Priest.

 

09:10 AM – 09:25 AM

 

Introduction of the Chairman, Dr. Kofi Kondwani, Assistant Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA and distinguished guests.

 

09:25 AM – 09:55 AM

 

Cultural performance by the Abibigromma Cultural Troupe from the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana.

 

09:55 AM – 10:15 AM

 

Welcome Statement by J.William Danquah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Africa First, LLC.

 

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM 

 

Remarks and meditation by Dr. Kofi Kondwani, the Chairman of the Conference.

 

10:45 AM – 11:10 AM

 

Statement by Dr. Joaquim Serwaka, World Health Organization’s Country Director for Ghana.

 

11:10 AM – 11:40 AM

 

Policy of the Government of Ghana on Traditional Medicine and HIV/AIDS by Honourable Courage Quarshigah, Minister of Health, Republic of Ghana.

 

11:40 AM – 12:10 PM

 

Official opening of the Exhibition Hall by Honourable Courage Quarshigah, Minister of Health, Republic of Ghana.

 

12:20 PM – 01:40 PM

 

WELCOME LUNCH

 

FIRST PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

Identifying the challenges, successes and failures of indigenous healing practices in the contemporary world;

 

Assessing best practices in establishing the value of any traditional medicine regarding its safety, efficacy and quality;

 

Resolving the differences in concepts and methodologies regarding best practices: conventional versus indigenous/alternative medicine practices; and

 

Promoting respect for traditional healing practices and a mutual understanding between practitioners of traditional medicine and conventional medicine based on the guiding principles which drive the science of these two distinct disciplines.

 

Moderators:

 

          Dr. Erick Gbodossou - Chairman

Dr. Ossy M.J. Kasilo

          Dr. Rodwell Vongo

          Ms. Suzanne Arms

          Mr. Frederico Mvemba Mayembe

          Ms. Elaine Tapsell

 

01:40 PM - 02:05 PM 

 

“Implementation of the Strategy for African Countries on Promoting the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems” by Dr. Ossy M.J. Kasilo, Advisor, Traditional Medicine Programme, World Health Organization Africa Regional Office.

 

02:05 PM - 02:30 PM

 

“Contribution of PROMETRA International in the Fight Against Epidemic, Endemic and Emerging Diseases" by Dr. Erick Gbodossou, President, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine International (PROMETRA), Senegal.

 

02:30 PM - 02:55 PM   

 

“The Challenges of Traditional Medicine” by Dr. Rodwell Vongo, President, Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ), Zambia.

 

02:55 PM   - 03:25 PM     

 

"Indigenous wisdom and modern scientific evidence - The primal period and the mother-baby bond: roots of lifelong physical, psychological and spiritual wellness" by Suzanne Arms, Author, Photojournalist, Founder and Executive Director of Birthing The Future, Bayfield, Colorado, USA.

 

03:25 PM   - 03:50 PM     

 

"The challenges of Indigenous Healing in Angola: Reaching Poor Patients with Chronic Diseases missed by Modern Medicine” by Frederico Mvemba Mayembe, Member, Angolan Traditional Medicine Association, Angola.

 

03:50 PM – 04:15 PM

 

“Traditional Medicine: The Wisdom of our Elders and Cultural Healing” by Elaine Tapsell, CEO, Nga Mataapuna Oranga PHO, New Zealand.

 

04:15 PM – 04:25 PM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

04:25 PM - 05:45 PM

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FORUM

 

05:45 PM – CLOSURE OF FIRST PLENARY SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL SESSION

 

DAY TWO - TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008

 

SECOND PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

The dynamics and impact of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental disorders, on the socio-economy of the developing world.

 

Moderators:

                  

Dr. Leanna J. Standish - Chairperson

Dr. Kim Dickson

                   Dr. Leopold Zekeng

                   Professor Sakyi Awuku Amoa

                   Dr. Dora O. Akinboye

                   Dr. Mitashree Mitra

                   Dr. R. Subramanian

                   Dr. Rudolph C. Rÿser

                   Dr. Sung Soon Kim

                   Dr. Emmanuel E. Brako

                   Dr. Carlos  Lyrio

                   Eric Bataung Maliehe

                   Godfred Yaw Boateng

 

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

 

Arrival and registration of participants and guests.

 

09:00 AM - 09:25 AM

 

"The overview of the global AIDS epidemic: The sub-Saharan situation and the role UNAIDS expects of Traditional Healers to play in the prevention and eradication of the disease" by Dr. Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS Coordinator for Ghana.

 

09:25 AM - 09:50 AM

 

“Traditional Medicine in Ghana versus Conventional Medicine in the fight against Chronic Diseases: The struggle and controversy” by Godfred Yaw Boateng, General Secretary, Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Associations, Ghana.

 

09:50 AM - 10:15 AM 

 

"Fostering Collaboration Between Traditional Healers, Patent Medicine Sellers and Primary Health Care Workers, in the treatment of Childhood Malaria" by Dr. Dora O. Akinboye et. al, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

 

10:15 AM – 10:40 AM

 

“AIDS in dwindling tribe of Chhattisgarh, India – A Case Study of Hill Korwa Primitive Tribe” by Dr. Mitashree Mitra, Professor and Head, School of Studies in Anthropology, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India.

 

10:40 AM – 10:50 AM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

10:50 AM – 11:15 AM

 

"A Healthy Environment Produces a Healthy World Community" by Dr. R. Subramanian, MVSc., PhD, Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust, India.

 

11:15 AM – 11:40 AM

 

“Renewal and Balance - Treatment and Cure” by Dr. Rudolph C. Rÿser, Member, Teitnapum Cowlitz Tribe, Founding Chair and Executive Director, Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington, USA.

 

11:40 AM – 12:05 PM

 

“Scaling up of Male Circumcision for HIV Risk Reduction” by Dr. Kim Dickson, Coordinator, Male Circumcision for HIV Risk Reduction, World Health Organization Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

 

12:05 PM – 01:05 PM

 

LUNCH BREAK

 

01:05 PM – 01:30 PM

 

“Ghana AIDS Commission's expectations of Traditional Medicine in the fight against HIV/AIDS” by Professor Sakyi Awuku Amoa, Director-General, Ghana AIDS Commission.

 

01:30 PM – 01:55 PM

 

"Can we, should we, develop a research agenda for African traditional HIV/AIDS therapies?" by Dr. Leanna J. Standish, Ph.D., Dipl. of Acup., Senior Research Scientist, Director of the University Health Clinic Hepatitis C Program, Director, Breast Cancer Research Program, Bastyr University and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Washington, USA.

 

01:55 PM – 02:20 PM

 

“The monitoring of anti-retroviral drug resistance in Korean HIV/AIDS patients” by Dr. Sung Soon Kim, Director, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

02-20 PM – 02:45 PM

 

“Managing malabsorption syndrome in HIV/AIDS patients” by Eric Bataung Maliehe, Traditional Healer/Herbalist/Ethno-Botanist and founder of Ethno Herbal Products, Lesotho.

 

02:45 PM – 03:10 PM

 

“A Cancer Study Using Garlic, Allium sativum, Cultured Cells and Laboratory Mice as a Model System” by Dr. Emmanuel E. Brako and Jacky Lafky, Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota, USA.

 

03:10 PM – 03:35 PM

 

“A positive serum HIV-1 biotherapeutic technique proposition” by Carlos  Lyrio, Homeopath Doctor, Director of Roberto Costa Institute/SUS – Petrópolis, Rio de Janiero,  Brazil.

 

03:35 PM – 05:35 PM

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERIOD

 

05:10 PM – CLOSURE OF THE SECOND SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL SESSION

 

DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008

 

THIRD PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

Identification of traditional medicines and practices of established value used in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, sickle cell, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and mental disorders for further evaluation of safety, efficacy and quality standards.

 

Bridging the gap between traditional and conventional methods of preventing, treating cancer, sickle cell, anaemia, diabetes, hypertension and mental disorders.

                    

Moderators:

 

                   Professor Alex Matter - Chairman

                   Professor Massao Hattori,

                   Dr. Theophilus Kwofie

                   Professor Wang Xiaoming

                   I.A Jegede

                   Dr Djierro Kadidja

                   Dr. Mrs. Ezinne Enwereji

                   Dr. Ba-Lagi Gregory Lugu Zuri

                   Dr. Aliou M. Baldé

                   Dr. Perizat D. Abaskanova

                   Dr. Parishta T. Jolueva

                   Dr. George Acquaye

                   Dr. A. Kweku Andoh

                   Professor Wang Jiusheng

 

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

 

Arrival and registration of participants and guests

 

09:00 AM - 09:25 AM

 

"Searching for Anti-HIV agents among traditional medicines" by Professor Massao Hattori, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyoma, Japan.

 

09:25 AM - 09:50 AM 

 

“The use of Ghanaian herbal medicines in the treatment of HIV and AIDS” by Dr. Theophilus Kwofie, Center for HIV and AIDS Studies, Institute of Science and Technology for Africa, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

 

09:50 AM – 10:15 AM

 

"Alternative approaches in the battle against HIV/AIDS" by Professor Alex Matter, CEO/Chairman, Esperanza Medicines Foundation, Switzerland.

 

10:15 AM - 10:40 AM

 

“Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer Using Modern and Traditional Chinese Medicine” by Professor Wang Xiaoming, Vice President, President of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.

 

10:40 AM – 11:05 AM

 

“The Efforts of Nigeria Towards Local Production of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) in Combating Malaria A Step Towards Meeting the MDG Goals” by I.A Jegede and others, Department of Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, Nigeria.

 

11:05 AM – 11:15 AM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

11:15 AM – 11:40 AM

 

“Utlilization of FMG341 – a natural medicine therapy, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS” by Dr Djierro Kadidja, Pharmacist, Department of Traditional Medicine, Ministry of Health, Burkina Faso. 

 

11:40 AM – 12:05 PM

 

“Important medicinal plants for treating endemic diseases: Limitations and prospects in Abia State of Nigeria” by Dr. Mrs. Ezinne Enwereji, College of Medicine, Abia State University, Nigeria.

 

12:05 PM - 12:30 PM

 

“The effect of treating chronic, debilitating and incurable diseases/disorders with natural remedies” by Dr. Ba-Lagi Gregory Lugu Zuri, Natural Healing Centre, Accra, Ghana.

 

12:30 PM – 01:30 PM 

                                                               

LUNCH BREAK

 

01:30 PM – 01:55 PM

 

"Ethnomedical investigations on the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in Guinea: realities and perspectives" by Dr. Aliou M. Baldé, Professor of Pharmacology, University of Conakry, Guinea and Director of the Centre de Recherche et de Valorisation des Plantes Médicinales de Dubréka, Republic of Guinea.

 

01:55 PM - 02:20 PM

 

"The use of Herbal Medicine in Stomatology" by Dr. Perizat D. Abaskanova, Chair, Therapeutic  Stomatology Department and Dr. Parishta T. Jolueva, Lecturer, Orthopedic Dentistry Department, Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

 

02:20 PM – 02:45 PM

 

“The Potency of Reverser – an oral Hypoglycaemic agent with the capacity of healing diabetic wounds – The Asante Mampong Experience” by Jacob Amoa and Dr. George Acquaye, M & J Health Management Consult, Ghana.

 

02:45 PM – 03:10 PM

 

“Traditional Chinese Medicine on Treating Immune System Diseases” by Prof. Wang Jiusheng, President of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.

 

03:10 PM – 03:20 PM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

03:20 PM – 03:45 PM

 

"The natural therapeutic power of 'Moringa Oleifera' to cure diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases" by Dr. A. Kweku Andoh, Ethnobotanist, North Scale Education & Research Institute, Inc, College Park, GA USA.

 

03:45 PM – 05:10 PM

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERIOD

 

05:10 PM - CLOSURE OF THIRD PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

DAY FOUR - THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008

 

FOURTH PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

Establishing a set of guidelines to educate the populations of third-world countries on the cultivation, use, management and conservation of forest products and clean environment towards sustainable development.

 

Establishing a set of guidelines for evaluating and expanding existing educational methodologies to incorporate indigenous knowledge as a way to enhance cultural competency and safeguarding this valuable knowledge base; and

 

Establishing a set of guidelines for the promotion and advancement of reciprocal partnerships between scientists and indigenous people on the manufacture and marketing of natural products.

 

Moderators:

 

Dr. Richard E. Atleo - Chairman

Professor Lutfor Rahman

Representative of Ministry of Education, Ghana

Representative of National Commission on Culture, Ghana

Representative of Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana.

 

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

 

Arrival and registration of participants and guests

 

09:00 AM - 09:25 AM

 

"Identity and Constitution founded in Worldview" by Dr. Richard E. Atleo, Hereditary Chief of The Ahousaht, Author, Research Liaison of University of Manitoba and Adjunct Associate Professor of University of Victoria, Canada.

 

09:25 AM – 09:50 AM

 

“The advancement of science and cultural education towards social and economic development of Ghana” by the Ministry of Education, Ghana

 

09:50 AM – 10:15 AM

 

The Importance of Indigenous Science and Technology to Developing Countries" by Professor Lutfor Rahman, Pundra University of Science & Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

10:15 AM – 10:40 AM

 

“The preservation of indigenous knowledge and culture in the development of the Ghanaian society” by the National Commission on Culture, Ghana

 

10:40 AM – 10:50 AM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

“The benefits in combining both scientific and indigenous knowledge in cultivation, use, management and conservation of the forests for food, plant medicine, forest products and clean environment towards sustainable development” by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana.

 

10:50 AM – 12:50 PM

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FORUM

 

12:50 PM – 01-50 PM

 

LUNCH BREAK

 

FIFTH PLENARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SESSION

 

Promoting the development/review of jurisdiction and patent laws that adequately captures intellectual property rights emanating from Traditional Medicine, international, regional, state, local laws and legislations taking into account relevant intellectual property rights regimes that would ensure adequate protection of traditional medical knowledge and allowing its sustainable development.

 

Looking at current patent law, how well does it capture intellectual property generated by traditional healers? What are possible shortfalls?

 

A framework for the enactment of local, regional, and international laws to protect the rights of local people to discovery of medicinal and biological diversity against bio-piracy.

 

Moderators:

 

Professor Graham Dutfield - Chairman

Professor William O. Hennessey

Representative of Ghana Ministry of Justice

Mirjam Hirch

                   

01:50 PM – 02:15 PM

 

“The scope and implications of current laws of Ghana on indigenous knowledge and local entrepreneurship” by the Ministry of Justice, Ghana.

 

02:15 PM – 02:40 PM

 

"Biopiracy in the Fourth World: Traditional Knowledge Protection and Development by means of Intellectual Property Rights" by Mirjam Hirch, MA, Fellow in Traditional Healing Arts Policy, Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington, USA.

 

02:40 PM – 03:15 PM

 

"Is Bioprospecting Biopiracy by Another Name? An Exploration of the Issues" by Professor Graham Dutfield, formerly Herchel Smith Senior Research Fellow in Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary, University of London, and currently Co-Director, Centre for International Governance, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

 

03:15 PM – 03:40 PM

 

“How to Turn Intellectual Property Knowledge and Experience into Economic Power and Social Progress in Health and Agriculture: The Secrets Which Developing Countries and Their Indigenous Peoples Need to Know About the IP Practices of Developed Countries” by William O. Hennessey, Esq., Professor of Law and Chair, Intellectual Property Graduate Program, Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, New Hampshire, USA.

 

03:40 PM – 03:50 PM

 

COFFEE BREAK

 

03:50 PM – 05:50 PM

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FORUM

 

05:50 PM – CLOSURE OF FOURTH AND FIFTH SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL SESSIONS

 

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2008

 

ACTIVITIES MARKING THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONFERENCE

 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

 

Arrival and registration of participants and guests

 

Moderators

 

Dr. Ossy MJ Kasilo - Chairperson

Professor Alex Matter

Dr. Richard E. Atleo

Professor Graham Dutfield

Dr. Mrs. Ezinne Enwereji

Dr. Rudolph C. Rÿser

Dr. Sung Soon Kim

Dr. Leanna J. Standish

Ms. Suzanne Arms

Dr. Theophilus Kwofie

Geofred Boateng

Peter Arhin

Representative of Ghana Ministry of Justice

Representative of Ghana Ministry of Education

Representative of Ghana Ministry of Agriculture

 

09:00 AM – 11:00 AM

 

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS AND NETWORKING

 

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF CONFERENCE DECLARATION

 

12:00 PM – 01:00 PM

 

LUNCH BREAK

 

01:00 PM – 02:15 PM

 

CIRCULATION OF OFFICIAL REPORT OF CONFERENCE

 

02:15 PM – 03:15 PM

 

AWARD OF CERTIFICATES FOR PARTICIPATION AND RECOGNITION FOR CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT

 

03:15 PM - 03:30 PM

 

VOTE OF THANKS BY MR. PETER ARHIN

  

03:30 PM – 04:00 PM 

 

PRESS CONFERENCE

 

OFFICIAL CLOSURE OF CONFERENCE