The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has strengthened Ghana’s growing herbal medicine sector with the launch of a new Natural Products Laboratory (NatPro Lab) — a cutting-edge research centre designed to ensure the quality, safety, and innovation of locally produced herbal medicines.
Advancing Traditional Medicine Through Science
The laboratory was established under the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM), which was set up in 2019 as Ghana’s first dedicated institute for research and training in Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM).
Quality Assurance for Herbal Products
The NatPro Lab, commissioned in 2024, provides facilities for analytical testing, product formulation, toxicology, and quality control. These functions are crucial for improving the credibility of herbal medicine and ensuring products meet both local and international safety standards.
Researchers say the laboratory will help herbal medicine producers validate their formulations and build global confidence in Ghanaian natural health products.
“We have the natural resources and the traditional knowledge,” a researcher at ITAM told JoyNews. “What we’ve been missing is the infrastructure to prove our products are safe, effective, and of consistent quality. This lab changes that.”
Boost for Policy and Integration
The launch aligns with Ghana’s policy goal of integrating herbal medicine into the mainstream health system — a move championed by the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
By combining modern technology with indigenous knowledge, the new laboratory is expected to enhance regulation, promote research-led innovation, and expand economic opportunities within Ghana’s herbal medicine value chain.
Positioning Ghana as a Regional Leader
ITAM’s work is also putting Ghana on the map as a hub for traditional medicine research in West Africa. The institute collaborates with local herbal practitioners, universities, and international partners to advance studies in plant medicine, pharmacology, and wellness innovation.
Experts believe the new NatPro Lab will attract regional collaborations and boost investor confidence in Ghana’s natural health industry.
Looking Ahead
With the establishment of the NatPro Lab, UHAS and ITAM are positioning Ghana at the forefront of scientific herbal medicine research in Africa. The development marks another step toward a future where traditional medicine and modern science work hand-in-hand to improve public health.
