{
  "id": 3471740,
  "title": "Galamsey making it difficult to find medicinal plants – GHAFTRAM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/galamsey-making-it-difficult-to-find-medicinal-plants-ghaftram",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-26T09:04:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/galamsey-making-it-difficult-to-find-medicinal-plants-ghaftram/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has expressed grave concerns over illegal mining, or galamsey, and its adverse impact on the availability of medicinal plants, thereby posing a significant challenge to traditional medicine practitioners. Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri, GHAFTRAM's General Secretary, highlighted that the destruction and contamination of forests and water bodies due to illegal mining have rendered the search for essential plants and tree roots increasingly arduous for practitioners. Speaking to Adom FM's morning program, Dwaso Nsem, Obiri emphasized that traditional medicine practitioners frequently remain sidelined in national dialogues and stakeholder discussions concerning galamsey, despite the direct consequences it has on their profession. He elaborated that certain medicinal plants, prevalent in regions affected by illegal mining, appear to be contaminated, raising concerns about their safety and efficacy. Obiri noted that research conducted by local experts and institutions has also underscored the detrimental effects of galamsey on medicinal plants and the practice of traditional medicine. He reiterated that authorities have been urged to engage with traditional medicine practitioners concerning the issue of galamsey's impact on their work. Obiri lamented the current predicament, stating that practitioners are compelled to venture further from mining-affected zones in pursuit of medicinal plants, now seeking refuge in unspoiled areas. He stressed the urgency of the situation, adding that practitioners are simultaneously striving to safeguard the remaining medicinal plants from additional destruction. He accused relevant authorities of dismissing the pleas of traditional medicine practitioners, despite multiple attempts to highlight the issue. The GHAFTRAM General Secretary called for the inclusion of traditional medicine practitioners in discussions and stakeholder engagements surrounding illegal mining, especially those centered on the preservation of Ghana's forests and natural resources.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has raised concerns that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is threatening access to medicinal plants and posing a serious challenge to traditional medicine practitioners. According to GHAFTRAM General Secretary, Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri, the destruction and contamination of forests and water…",
  "key_points": [
    "Illegal mining, or galamsey, harms medicinal plants for traditional medicine.",
    "Traditional medicine practitioners struggle to find essential plants due to galamsey.",
    "GHAFTRAM demands inclusion in discussions on illegal mining and resource preservation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Stay away from galamsey areas – GHAFTRAM advises members",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/stay-away-from-galamsey-areas-ghaftram-advises-members",
        "published": "2026-08-26T09:04:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}