Research Ethics Policy
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P a g e
1. Purpose of Policy
This document accentuates the University of Ghana (UG) policy regarding ethical conduct
of research involving human and non-human subjects. The purpose of the policy is to:
i. To have complete oversight of all UG’s ethics committees
ii. Ensure that research activities involving human and non-human subjects are reviewed.
iii. Ensure that ethical standards for the care and protection of both human and non-human
subjects are adhered to.
iv. Ensure that research activities within UG are in compliance with all national and
international regulations.
2. Aims
i.
The UG-wide research ethics policy is a document aimed at guiding and governing
research activities involving human and non-human participants.
ii.
For proper oversight and regulation of research, UG maintains three separate
independent ethics committees namely: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical
Research – Institutional Review Board (NMIMR-IRB) for all medical/health science
related protocols; Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research - Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee (NMIMR-IACUC) for all animal related protocols; and
Ethics Committee for the Humanities (ECH) for all research within the Social and
Behavioural Sciences, Arts, Business and Law.
iii.
All three (3) UG Ethics Committees will serve as administrative bodies to protect the
wellbeing of human and non-human research subjects in research activities within UG.
iv.
Research activities conducted within or outside the university by a university staff or
in collaboration with a university staff shall be required to conform to these guidelines.
v.
The policy is to foster a culture within UG that embraces the relevant legislation to
protect the rights, dignity and wellbeing of research subjects.
vi.
The policy aims at maintaining a review process that is liable to constant scrutiny.
