The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has urged greater collaboration with stakeholders to build trust, enhance regulation, and expand the role of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (TAM) in Ghana’s healthcare system.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said the call was made during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement, which brought together over 100 participants, including 28 associations, representatives from the Ministry of Health, regulatory agencies, practitioners, and media partners.
It said more than 70 per cent of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine at some point in their lives. Hence, the TMPC emphasised that traditional medicine is not only a cultural heritage but also a significant contributor to public health, job creation, and national identity.
Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, Chair of the TMPC Board, said, “Traditional medicine is more than a cultural inheritance; it is a driver of health, jobs, and national identity. We must professionalise and protect it.”
In the statement, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to the sector, highlighting its inclusion in Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda.
The Health Minister encouraged practitioners to form cooperatives, cultivate medicinal plants, and invest in safe herbal research to strengthen the industry.
“This sector will play a key role in Ghana’s 24-hour economy. We encourage practitioners to form cooperatives, cultivate medicinal plants, and invest in safe herbal research,” the Minister noted.
As part of efforts to improve efficiency and transparency, the TMPC announced the rollout of new digital systems to streamline registration, licensing, and monitoring of practitioners.
This initiative is expected to help curb malpractice and ensure higher standards of care.
The statement said participants at the engagement unanimously committed to fighting quackery, misinformation, and poor practices that undermine the credibility of the sector.
They stressed the need for stricter enforcement of licensing and registration, coupled with public education to build trust in TAM services.
At the close of the meeting, stakeholders adopted four resolutions, which were regular stakeholder engagements to ensure continuous dialogue, enforcement of practitioner licensing and registration, stricter guidelines to curb quackery and poor standards, and a stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Health to integrate TAM into the national health system.
The TMPC noted that Ghana’s health system stands to benefit significantly from better integration of traditional medicine.
“With stronger regulation, investment in herbal research, and greater collaboration, the Council believes the sector can contribute to improved healthcare delivery and economic growth,” the statement said.
