The biological scientist who invented the buckets fitted with taps for handwashing has said she will be happy if the government helps her to patent her invention.
Mrs Veronica Bekoe invented the buckets about 30 years ago for hand hygiene and the prevention of infections at medical laboratories.
“I am not trying to take advantage of an unfortunate situation with the outbreak of the coronavirus disease that has resulted in the mass production and use of the buckets every.
“However, my call is to set out the fact that the invention is mine,” she told the Daily Graphic newspaper.
She also told the state-owned newspaper that although she had begun the process to patent her innovation, the bureaucracy involved in getting it done was daunting and so she gave up.
“At that time, I used to get to the office at 7 a.m. to ensure that all laboratory tests were ready. Being tossed about, with no clarity on how to proceed, was difficult and I could not find the opportunity to continue with it because of work,” he told the Daily Graphic newspaper.
She said, however, that she was very happy that her invention was contributing to the healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.
She said it was unfortunate that the buckets were being mass-produced and exported without due recognition for her effort.