Government urged to codify traditional medicine practices
The Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Dr Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, has urged the government to support the codification of traditional medicine to enhance healthcare delivery and protect the country’s cultural heritage. He said this was prudent because traditional medicines are being combined with orthodox medicine to treat cancer and other diseases, affirming their […]
Dr Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, the Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, has called for the government to support the codification of traditional medicine practices. He believes this will improve healthcare delivery and safeguard Ghana's cultural heritage. Traditional medicines are increasingly being used alongside orthodox treatments for conditions like cancer, which demonstrates their effectiveness.
Yusuf made these remarks at the Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference in Ho, a joint effort between the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the council itself. He cited India's experience with mystic ayurvedic practices, suggesting Ghana should document its traditional knowledge as well. Yusuf encouraged young people to preserve this wisdom in written form, emphasizing that this is the best way to safeguard it.
He also urged practitioners to take advantage of the government's plans to boost pharmaceutical manufacturing, which have earmarked billions of dollars. The WHO calls for countries to establish standards, and Yusuf urged Ghana to follow suit. The Ghana Health Service has expanded facilities offering traditional medicine from 60 to 150.
Yusuf announced the council will soon launch a campaign to weed out quacks and preserve the sector's integrity. He also stressed the need for harmony among practitioners. The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, expressed worry about the dwindling interest in and faith in traditional medicine. He called for better cooperation among stakeholders to bolster and promote this field.
The government is committed to backing research collaborations, enhancing human resources, and pursuing other steps to elevate the standards of traditional medicine. The CEO of Fafalidem Herbal Centre, Samuel Kofi Awute, appealed for more investment in traditional medicine, urging colleagues to document their knowledge in books.
The 2026 edition of the Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference, themed "Honouring Tradition and Advancing Herbal Medicine," convened practitioners, spiritualists, researchers, and academics to debate ways to weave traditional medicine into healthcare delivery.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
