Director of the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Kwame Benoit Bango
has called for stronger collaboration between traditional medicine and science to unlock Africa’s vast natural health potential.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the maiden West Africa Natural Health and Wellness Expo in Accra on February 26, 2026, he said traditional medicine long sustained through indigenous knowledge and biodiversity must now be supported by scientific validation to thrive in today’s global health market.
He noted that while systems such as Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of medicine that focuses on holistic health have supported humanity for centuries, the future of natural health depends on proving safety, effectiveness and quality through research.
“India has also demonstrated how structured system quality standard and export readiness can transform traditional medicine into a global industry. I believe this exposition would therefore build a strategic bridge between India and Africa, between biodiversity and biotechnology, between heritage and high value markets”, he stated.
Professor Bango further indicated that growth in the natural health sector must remain ethical and sustainable, urging responsible cultivation of medicinal plants and science-backed product claims.
“The natural health sector must be ethical, evidence-based, sustainable, and environmentally conscious. Medicinal plants must be cultivated sustainably. Products must meet regulatory standards. Claims must be supported by science.
“At UHAS and through the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, we are fully prepared to play a role in supporting this industry,” he stated.
He called on stakeholders to use the expo as a platform not only for business deals but also for research partnerships, policy reforms, and stronger regulatory systems.
“Let the Expo create research partnerships. Let it inspire policy platform and reforms. Let it strengthen regulatory system. And let it elevate the credibility of traditional medicine worldwide”, he added.
The Expo builds on bilateral cooperation between Ghana and India. In July 2025, during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in traditional medicine, with a particular focus on Ayurveda.
The event featured exhibitions on traditional medicine systems, consultations with practitioners from both countries, and sessions on diet, nutrition, and other holistic health practices.
