Traditional medicine practitioners urged to embrace research and innovation to boost healthcare delivery

The CEO of Fafalidem Herbal Center at Dzodze in the Volta Region, Samuel Kofi Awute (Dr. Atuguba), has called for increased investment in traditional medicine, describing indigenous herbal knowledge as a valuable resource that could transform healthcare delivery, create employment and generate economic opportunities for Ghana and Africa.

Dr. Atuguba has proposed the development of what he describes as Traditional Medicine Intelligence (TMI), arguing that traditional medicine holds valuable indigenous knowledge that must be researched, documented and integrated into modern healthcare systems.

According to him, traditional medicine is not outdated but represents generations of indigenous wisdom, particularly in the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News at the Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference, marking the 25th anniversary of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Council (TMPC@25), in Ho, Dr. Atuguba urged government to invest more resources in the herbal medicine sector to unlock its potential.

He stressed that Ghana could derive significant economic benefits from the sector through research, processing and commercialisation of medicinal plants.

Dr. Atuguba also underscored the need to document traditional medical knowledge, lamenting that much of the expertise possessed by practitioners is inherited from parents, grandparents and, in some cases, through personal spiritual experiences rather than formal written records.

Dr. Atuguba maintained that strengthening the sector would require deliberate efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge while making it more accessible to younger generations.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has called for stronger collaboration among traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, academic institutions and regulatory authorities to ensure safe and responsible practice.

He acknowledged the important role traditional medicine has played in Ghanaian communities for generations, recalling how herbal preparations were relied upon during his childhood whenever family members fell ill.

However, he expressed concern that the younger generation was gradually losing confidence in traditional medicine, stressing the need to preserve the country’s indigenous medical heritage through scientific research, innovation and professional standards.

Mr Gunu called on the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Council to intensify efforts to regulate practitioners and promote responsible practices to protect public health.

Hon. James Gunu further advocated increased public education through radio and television stations, markets, churches, mosques, schools and community centres to ensure that people are adequately informed about the benefits and limitations of traditional medicine.

Hon. James Gunu also encouraged partnerships between traditional practitioners and academic and research institutions, including universities, to scientifically investigate indigenous medicinal knowledge and promote innovation while protecting natural resources and community interests.

Hon. James Gunu said government remained committed to supporting practical initiatives that would strengthen research partnerships, improve professional standards and promote public education in the sector.

Hon.James Gunu expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help position traditional medicine as an important contributor to healthcare delivery and economic development, particularly in the Volta Region.

The Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference brought together traditional medicine practitioners and other stakeholders to deliberate on ways of preserving Ghana’s indigenous medical knowledge while strengthening its contribution to healthcare.