GAMH Honours Health Minister with Prestigious Award at KNUST Conference

Dr. Ashong declared. "Your leadership continues to inspire healthcare professionals to pursue excellence, accountability, and patient-centered care."

The Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists (GAMH) has conferred a distinguished award on the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to strengthening Ghana's healthcare system through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based practice.

The presentation took place during the Association's highly anticipated 2026 Annual General Conference, held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where over 100 Medical Herbalists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and development partners gathered under the theme "Strengthening Evidence-Based Practice for Global Health and Sustainable Development: The Role of the Medical Herbalist."

The award was received on behalf of the Minister by Dr. Daniel Amaning Danquah, a senior official from the Ministry of Health, who was met with resounding applause from the delegates in attendance.

A Historic Recognition of Leadership

In her stirring address, GAMH President Dr. Sandra Ashong, who served as Special Guest of Honour, described the Minister's recognition as more than ceremonial—calling it a testament to the Ministry's unwavering dedication to integrating all appropriate healthcare resources in the nation's march toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

"Your presence at this important gathering underscores the Ministry's commitment to strengthening the Ghana Health System through innovation, collaboration, evidence-based practice, and the effective mobilisation of all appropriate healthcare resources," Dr. Ashong declared. "Your leadership continues to inspire healthcare professionals to pursue excellence, accountability, and patient-centered care."

She added: "We are not merely here to speak; we are here to honour. It is why we have prepared this special award and gift—a token of our deepest gratitude, not just for your presence today, but for your consistent advocacy and support for the professional development and integration of complementary health care services, which remain invaluable to our nation's health agenda."

Dr. Daniel Amaning Danquah Receives on Behalf of the Minister

Dr. Daniel Amaning Danquah, who stepped forward to receive the plaque and symbolic gift, expressed the Minister's profound appreciation to the Association, noting that the gesture reaffirms the government's commitment to advancing traditional and integrative medicine as a critical pillar of national healthcare delivery.

"On behalf of the Honourable Minister, I accept this award with humility and gratitude," Dr. Danquah said. "This is not just a recognition of one individual, but a recognition of the collective effort to build a healthcare system that leaves no one behind. The Minister sends his heartfelt thanks to the leadership and membership of GAMH and assures you of his continued support."

A Profession Bridging Tradition and Science

Dr. Ashong emphasised that Medical Herbalists serve as a vital bridge between indigenous knowledge systems and modern scientific healthcare practice—through clinical service, research, and public health interventions. She reaffirmed the Association's commitment to ensuring that herbal medicine is not marginalised but rather strengthened through regulation, research funding, and professional development.

"Up to 70 to 80 percent of Ghanaians rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare needs," she noted. "This is not a statistic to be ignored. It is a mandate to act. We must mobilise all appropriate resources—human, financial, and technological—to ensure that our people receive safe, effective, and quality care."

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the growing recognition of medical herbalism, the Association acknowledged persistent challenges, including inadequate workforce development, limited career progression opportunities, insufficient employment avenues, and restricted research funding. The conference is expected to produce a communiqué with concrete policy recommendations for the government and key stakeholders.

Dr. Ashong, who has led GAMH since 2024, highlighted the Association's recent milestones, including a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), aimed at enhancing academic and research partnerships.

Gratitude and the Path Forward

On behalf of the National Executive Council and the entire membership of the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists, Dr. Ashong expressed profound gratitude to the Minister for his support and for honouring the Association with his presence—even if symbolically through Dr. Danquah.

"Your leadership continues to inspire us. Your dedication to improving the health and well-being of the people of Ghana is unmatched. We thank you, Honourable Minister, for your distinguished service to the nation, and we look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration."

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