By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Ho, Oct. 29 GNA – The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has trained the first cohort of 254 traditional medicine practitioners and is encouraging more to enroll in such programmes to strengthen documentation, research and responsible traditional medicine practice in Ghana.
Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, announced this at the Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference in Ho on Thursday.
The conference also marked the launch of activities for the Traditional Medicine Practice Council’s (TMPC) silver jubilee.
Prof Aziato said the University was committed to helping practitioners document and preserve their indigenous knowledge and professional experiences to preserve their heritage and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Professor Aziato urged traditional medicine practitioners to engage with UHAS for support in documenting their work, adding that the process could help safeguard valuable knowledge while creating opportunities for research and responsible innovation.
She also announced that UHAS had acquired a large tract of land at Hlefi in the Ho West District for medicinal plant farming, inviting interested practitioners to register and explore opportunities to cultivate medicinal plants.
Delivering the keynote address on “Traditional Medicine, Cultural Heritage and National Development,” Professor Aziato outlined five priorities for the sector: ethical preservation and documentation of indigenous knowledge; stronger scientific research and quality assurance; continuing professional education; deeper partnerships among institutions and communities; and links between traditional medicine, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
She called on practitioners to embrace continuous learning, researchers to engage indigenous knowledge with respect and ethical rigour, and regulators to protect patients while encouraging responsible innovation.
She also urged regional and district authorities, government, industry and development partners to invest in research, education and quality infrastructure.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, said traditional medicine was an important source of healthcare, employment and national identity, with the potential to contribute significantly to Ghana’s economy if supported by appropriate investment.
He said medicines needed to be researched, standardised and regulated to build public confidence and improve their prospects in domestic and international markets.
The conference, organised through a partnership between the TMPC and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, brought together practitioners, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, traditional authorities and development partners to discuss the preservation, regulation, innovation and responsible integration of traditional medicine into Ghana’s healthcare system.
The event also launched the Council’s 25th anniversary celebrations, marking 25 years of promoting, controlling and regulating traditional medicine practice in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah