BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has intensified its efforts to strengthen regulation, safety, and public trust in Traditional and Alternative Medicine (TAM) in Ghana.
This comes as part of a renewed national drive to position the sector as a cornerstone of healthcare delivery and economic growth.
At a high-level stakeholders’ forum held on September 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Health auditorium in Accra, TMPC brought together representatives from 28 associations and over 100 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Health, regulatory bodies, practitioners, and media partners.
The forum emphasized the urgent need for collaboration to raise standards and curb practices that threaten public confidence in the industry.
Growing Role Of Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine continues to play a significant role in Ghana’s healthcare system. Data from the TMPC reveals that more than 70 percent of Ghanaians rely on herbal and alternative remedies at some point in their lives.
This reliance underscores the cultural and economic value of the sector, which has grown into a GHC 1.7 billion market as of 2023.
Globally, TAM is valued at more than $200 billion, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizing its importance in achieving universal health coverage.
Government Commitment And Policy Direction
The Ministry of Health reiterated government’s backing for TAM, stressing its inclusion in the 24-hour economy agenda.
The Ministry encouraged practitioners to organize themselves into cooperatives, cultivate medicinal plants on a large scale, and invest in scientific herbal research to ensure quality and safety.
Technology, Standards
One of the key announcements from TMPC was the rollout of digital systems designed to streamline practitioner registration, licensing, and monitoring.
This move is expected to increase efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and make it easier to track compliance across the sector.
Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, Board Chair of TMPC, stressed the importance of professionalism and safeguarding the country’s heritage.
“Traditional medicine is more than a cultural inheritance—it is a driver of health, jobs, and national identity. We must professionalise and protect it,” he said.
Stakeholders also pledged to work collectively to fight quackery, misinformation, and substandard practices that undermine confidence in herbal medicine.
Resolutions
The forum concluded with the adoption of key resolutions aimed at safeguarding the future of TAM:
1. More regular stakeholder engagements to foster dialogue and collaboration.
2. Enforcement of strict licensing and registration procedures.
3. Implementation of stricter guidelines to curb quackery and malpractice.
4. Strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Health to integrate TAM into Ghana’s national health system.
