BY Nadia Ntiamoah
As Ghana marked the 23rd African Traditional Medicine Day and the 26th Traditional Medicine Week, the Ministry of Health has called for stronger scientific and regulatory foundations for traditional medicine, highlighting its growing role in the country’s healthcare landscape.
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr. Anastasia Yirenkyi, Director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, emphasized the government’s commitment to research, safety, and the integration of herbal medicine into the national health system.
She said the week’s theme, “Strengthening the Evidence Base for Traditional Medicine,” reflects a strategic push to move traditional remedies from anecdotal use to scientifically validated therapies.
The Ministry’s approach involves collaboration with key academic and regulatory institutions, including the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Ghana, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC).
Together, these bodies aim to ensure the quality, safety, and ethical production of herbal medicines across the country.
Samuel Ato Duncan, President of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations and Chairman of the TMPC, highlighted strides made in recent years.
Over 6,000 traditional medicine practitioners are now licensed, more than 50 herbal manufacturing facilities have been certified, and traditional medicine units have been established in 55 district hospitals.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Ato Duncan cited resource constraints, public misconceptions about herbal treatments, and the need for better protection of indigenous knowledge as critical hurdles.
He urged increased funding, stronger collaboration between stakeholders, and intensified public education to elevate traditional medicine as a credible healthcare alternative.
Dr. Yirenkyi reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to integrating evidence-based traditional medicine into Ghana’s health and economic development agenda, framing it as both a public health and a national economic priority.
Traditional medicine in Ghana has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, with roots stretching back centuries.
The current focus on evidence-based practices reflects a broader continental trend to harness Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems while safeguarding patient safety and promoting economic growth through the herbal medicine industry.
