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By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi

Accra, September 16, GNA – Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Health, has called on members of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) to follow established guidelines in their work.

He mentioned that traditional medicines, also referred to as herbal remedies, remain a significant option for Ghanaians. However, strict attention to their effectiveness, the correct dosage, and proper hygiene practices has been a major challenge for the industry.

“One of the reasons traditional medicines have raised concerns is due to the absence of established guidelines. When you purchase a herbal product, you often aren’t sure about the correct dosage, and at times, the medicine is claimed to treat numerous illnesses,” the Minister stated.

He mentioned this during a stakeholder gathering involving the leadership of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, representatives from practitioner organizations, and other members, with an emphasis on enhancing and generating value for the industry.

Mr. Akandoh, who also serves as the MP for Juaboso Constituency, called on council members to work together and support the sector, similar to how it is done in countries such as China and India.

He mentioned that Ghana’s traditional medicine industry cannot create everything from scratch but should work both locally and globally to access the best technology, knowledge, and equipment for improved healthcare services.

“Your sector has the potential to boost the economy and can make a substantial contribution to the 24-hour economic plan. Other nations are performing well by leveraging herbal medicines. We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India, so you should follow up to discover how they can support your members,” Mr. Akandoh stated.

Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, Chairman of the TMPC Governing Council, stated that traditional and alternative medicine in Ghana has been a vibrant industry that has not only supported healthcare provision but also generated employment, promoted rural development, boosted export revenues, and preserved cultural identity.

He mentioned that their knowledge systems could enable Ghana to become a hub of excellence for integrated health and wellness tourism in West Africa, and urged members to maintain quality control, implement safeguards and safety measures, protect biodiversity, uphold professional standards, and promote therapies grounded in evidence.

Mr. Duncan stated that the registrations, licensing procedures, and Codes of Ethics of the Council had guaranteed competent professionals and maintained high standards, noting that their continuous curriculum evaluations for traditional medicine training institutions would conform to optimal practices and incorporate contemporary science.

We need to bolster research collaborations, refine distribution networks, and increase our presence in both local and global markets.

Collaborations with the Food and Drugs Authority regarding the quality assurance of herbal remedies and with the Ghana Standards Authority on manufacturing guidelines are essential,” he stated.

Mr. Duncan, who also serves as President of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM), stated that the TMPC would implement a national registration audit to update the practitioners’ database and remove unqualified individuals.

“We will also introduce an annual Traditional Medicine Research Symposium, organized jointly with Ghana’s top universities to convert indigenous knowledge into proven treatments,” he added.

Several practitioner associations were in attendance, such as GHAFTRAM, Herbalists, Traditional Birth Attendants, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the Naturopaths Association, and other related organizations. Officials from the Ministry of Health were also present.

GNA

Edited by Christian Akorlie