India’s High Commissioner to Ghana has called for structured collaboration between Ayurvedic medicine and Ghana’s traditional healing practices, positioning the ancient Indian wellness system as complementary to existing healthcare approaches.
Manish Gupta made the remarks at a roundtable discussion in Accra marking Ayurveda Day 2025, where practitioners, herbal medicine experts, wellness entrepreneurs, and Ministry of Health officials explored potential integration pathways. The High Commission of India organized the September 23 event under the theme “Ayurveda–Africa Connect: Integrative Healing in Ghana.”
Gupta drew parallels between Ayurveda’s holistic philosophy and Ghana’s traditional medicine practices, describing both as systems that view health as harmony between body, mind, and environment rather than merely the absence of disease. He urged that Ayurveda be formally recognized within Ghana’s healthcare framework, though he didn’t specify what regulatory or institutional changes that would require.
The discussion comes as Ghana’s wellness industry experiences growth, with Ayurveda therapy centers and natural health practitioners attracting increasing clientele. However, the sector operates largely without formal regulation, raising questions about quality standards, practitioner qualifications, and consumer protection.
Participants identified several areas requiring attention if Ayurveda is to integrate meaningfully into Ghana’s healthcare landscape. Policy recognition from health authorities would provide legitimacy and regulatory clarity. Improved education programs could train qualified practitioners according to established standards. Stronger public awareness campaigns might help Ghanaians distinguish between trained professionals and unqualified operators.
The High Commission outlined existing cooperation mechanisms, including scholarship and training opportunities in India through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), and AYUSH programs. These initiatives aim to build local expertise in traditional and complementary medicine, though the number of Ghanaians who’ve participated in such training remains unclear.
Whether significant numbers of Ghanaians pursue Ayurvedic training in India depends partly on factors beyond the programs themselves. Language barriers, cultural adjustment, recognition of Indian certifications by Ghanaian authorities, and employment prospects upon returning home all influence participation rates.
Speakers at the roundtable suggested that regulated trade in herbal and Ayurveda-based products could support job creation, wellness tourism, and economic growth. However, realizing these benefits requires clear policies governing product safety, quality standards, import regulations, and practitioner licensing.
Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority already regulates herbal medicines, but Ayurvedic products occupy an ambiguous category. Some ingredients used in Ayurvedic preparations aren’t native to Ghana and lack established safety profiles in the local context. Regulatory frameworks would need to address these specifics rather than applying blanket approvals.
The wellness tourism potential mentioned at the roundtable faces practical constraints. While some travelers seek Ayurvedic treatments, Ghana would compete with established wellness destinations in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia that offer authentic experiences at lower costs. Developing competitive wellness tourism requires significant investment in facilities, trained staff, and marketing.
Participants proposed establishing an Ayurveda–Ghana Working Group to coordinate collaboration in education, research, and wellness entrepreneurship. Such working groups can facilitate dialogue and information exchange, though their effectiveness depends on clear mandates, adequate resources, and genuine commitment from participating institutions.
Gupta expressed optimism about Ghana’s growing focus on traditional medicine creating opportunities for stronger institutional partnerships with India. The countries share interest in preserving traditional healing knowledge while adapting it to contemporary healthcare needs, though they approach this balance differently based on their distinct health system structures.
India has invested substantially in promoting Ayurveda internationally through its Ministry of AYUSH, which oversees Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy systems. The ministry supports research, standardization efforts, and international collaboration to position India as a leader in traditional medicine. Ghana represents one of several African countries where India is promoting Ayurvedic integration.
For Ghana, the question isn’t whether traditional medicine has value but rather how to integrate it safely and effectively into a healthcare system already struggling with resource constraints. Adding another complementary medicine system requires careful consideration of where it fits, who regulates it, how practitioners get trained, and what evidence supports its effectiveness for specific conditions.
Ayurveda’s evidence base varies significantly across different treatments and conditions. Some practices have substantial research support, while others rely primarily on traditional knowledge and anecdotal evidence. Ghana’s health authorities would need to evaluate which Ayurvedic approaches meet evidence standards for integration into formal healthcare.
The cultural context matters as well. Ghanaians already have deep-rooted traditional medicine practices that address health concerns holistically. Introducing Ayurveda requires demonstrating what it offers beyond existing options rather than positioning it as superior to local traditions. The most promising approach likely involves identifying complementary applications where Ayurvedic and Ghanaian traditional medicine can work together.
Financial considerations can’t be ignored. Training programs, regulatory development, quality testing infrastructure, and public education campaigns all require funding. Ghana’s health budget faces competing priorities including expanding access to essential medicines, improving maternal health outcomes, and addressing infectious diseases. Ayurveda integration would need to justify its resource allocation against these pressing needs.
Private sector interest in wellness and natural health creates market opportunities that don’t necessarily require government resources. Entrepreneurs can establish Ayurveda centers, import certified products, and offer services to clientele willing to pay. However, without regulatory oversight, this market-driven expansion risks quality problems and potential harm to consumers.
The roundtable discussion represents early-stage dialogue rather than concrete policy commitments. Moving from conversation to implementation requires detailed planning, stakeholder consultations, regulatory development, and political will. Whether Ghana’s government prioritizes Ayurveda integration amid numerous competing health system demands remains uncertain.
India’s diplomatic engagement on Ayurveda reflects its broader soft power strategy, using cultural and traditional knowledge as tools for building international relationships. For Ghana, engaging with these initiatives offers opportunities for cultural exchange and potential health system innovations, provided they’re approached thoughtfully rather than adopted wholesale without adaptation to local context.
As Ghana’s wellness industry continues evolving, Ayurveda may find its place alongside other complementary medicine approaches. Success will depend less on enthusiastic rhetoric and more on practical implementation that addresses regulatory gaps, ensures quality standards, trains qualified practitioners, and demonstrates value within Ghana’s specific healthcare landscape.
