Research Ethics Policy
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4. Scope of Policy
The term ‘Investigator’ in this policy, refers to UG staff and students, and to other persons
involved in collaborative research at UG. Persons involved in collaborative research must
agree in writing that this policy shall apply to them, whether the research is being
conducted on UG’s premises or outside UG’s premises.
5. Basic Ethical Principles
The fundamental ethical principles that govern the operations of the UG Ethics Policy are
the Declaration of Helsinki (1996); the International Conference on Harmonization, Good
Clinical Practice [ICH GCP (E6)] Guidelines; Council for International Organizations of
Medical Sciences (CIOMS); Belmont Report; and the Applicable Laws and Statutory
Regulations of Ghana and the University.
5.1 Respect for Persons
This principle seeks to ensure that human subjects have adequate information on the
potential risks and benefits of the research to enable them to make an informed decision on
their voluntary participation. Respect for persons encompasses two ethical principles:
i.
Respect for Autonomy
This maintains that each individual is considered as an autonomous person, capable of
making rational decisions about his personal choices. Thus, individuals who take actions
based on these decisions should be treated with respect for their self-determination
capabilities.
ii.
Protection of Persons with Diminished Autonomy
This principle requires that individuals who are vulnerable or dependent be offered
security against harm. Though the principle of respect must be extended to the community
in which the research is being undertaken, it is possible that its application may be difficult
in certain instances.
5.2 Beneficence
It relates to the commitment to minimize the potential risks and maximize the potential
benefits associated with the research. This is necessary because participating in biomedical
or behavioural research expose participants to some level of risk which should be justified
by the expected benefits to the subjects or the society. There are three categories of risk to
which subjects could be exposed i.e., physical, psychological, social and economic risks.
