Accra, Ghana – September 15, 2025 – The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has called for renewed collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen the regulation, safety, and growth of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (TAM) in Ghana. The call was made during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held on September 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Health auditorium in Accra.
The meeting, attended by 28 associations and more than 100 participants, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, regulatory agencies, practitioners, and media partners. It marked an important step toward consolidating efforts to professionalize traditional medicine, address challenges in the sector, and position it as a key contributor to Ghana’s development.
A Growing Reliance on Traditional Medicine
According to the TMPC, more than 70 percent of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine at some point in their lives. This statistic highlights the relevance of traditional medicine as a mainstream healthcare option for millions of citizens. With rising global interest in natural remedies, Ghana’s traditional medicine sector has the potential to expand into international markets while meeting local health needs.
The government has reaffirmed its support for TAM by incorporating it into the 24-hour economy agenda—a policy that seeks to maximize productivity and job creation across various sectors. This recognition is a clear indication that traditional medicine is not only a cultural inheritance but also a viable tool for national economic growth.
TMPC’s New Initiatives
At the engagement, TMPC outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening regulation and building public trust in traditional medicine. Among them is the rollout of digital systems designed to improve registration, licensing, and monitoring of practitioners. By digitizing these processes, TMPC hopes to make compliance easier, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure that practitioners meet required standards.
The Council also highlighted its determination to fight against quackery, misinformation, and poor standards that have long undermined the credibility of the sector. By enforcing stricter guidelines, TMPC aims to protect the public from harmful practices while boosting confidence in traditional and alternative medicine.
Key Voices at the Engagement
Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, Chair of the TMPC Board, underscored the need to professionalize the sector. He emphasized that traditional medicine is not only about heritage but also about building a sustainable health system and creating jobs.
“Traditional medicine is more than a cultural inheritance—it is a driver of health, jobs, and national identity. We must professionalize and protect it,” Prof. Duncan noted.
The Minister of Health, who also addressed the gathering, stressed that traditional medicine would play an important role in the government’s 24-hour economy policy. He encouraged practitioners to form cooperatives, cultivate medicinal plants, and invest in safe herbal research.
“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 said.
Resolutions Adopted
At the end of the engagement, participants agreed on a set of resolutions aimed at strengthening the sector:
- Hold regular stakeholder engagements to ensure continuous dialogue and policy alignment.
- Enforce licensing and registration requirements for practitioners and facilities.
- Implement stricter guidelines to curb quackery and harmful practices.
- Strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Health to integrate TAM into Ghana’s national health system.
These resolutions mark a concrete step toward building a more structured and credible TAM industry, with the active involvement of both regulators and practitioners.
Traditional Medicine in Numbers
The potential of Ghana’s traditional medicine industry is significant. Data presented at the engagement revealed that the local TAM market was valued at GHC 1.7 billion in 2023, a figure that is expected to rise as consumer interest in natural remedies grows. Globally, the TAM industry is estimated at $200 billion, showing that Ghana can tap into a lucrative international market if it strengthens its systems and maintains high standards.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recognized the importance of TAM, highlighting it as a key component of achieving universal health coverage. This global recognition adds further weight to the need for Ghana to invest in developing and standardizing its traditional medicine sector.
Building Trust and Protecting Heritage
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the engagement was the importance of building public trust in TAM. For years, the sector has faced skepticism due to the activities of unlicensed practitioners and the lack of standardized practices. TMPC’s renewed commitment to regulation and enforcement is therefore a welcome development for both practitioners and the general public.
At the same time, stakeholders emphasized the need to protect Ghana’s rich cultural heritage of traditional medicine. With centuries of indigenous knowledge at risk of being diluted or misused, there is an urgent need for research, documentation, and preservation. Practitioners were encouraged to document their practices scientifically, ensuring that remedies meet safety and efficacy standards while retaining their cultural authenticity.
Economic and Social Impact
Beyond healthcare, TAM has the potential to create jobs and contribute significantly to Ghana’s economy. Cultivating medicinal plants, producing standardized herbal products, and engaging in exports could open new economic opportunities. Furthermore, forming cooperatives would empower practitioners to pool resources, access funding, and scale their businesses.
The Minister’s call for investment in herbal research also points to opportunities for universities, research institutions, and private investors to partner with TMPC. With the right support, Ghana could emerge as a regional leader in herbal medicine innovation and exports.
Looking Ahead
The September 4 engagement was not just another meeting—it was a milestone in redefining the future of traditional medicine in Ghana. By bringing together stakeholders across the spectrum, TMPC has shown that progress in the sector requires collaboration, innovation, and strict adherence to standards.
As the Council continues to digitize its operations, enforce licensing, and combat quackery, the credibility of traditional medicine is expected to grow. More importantly, the integration of TAM into Ghana’s health system could provide millions of citizens with accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant healthcare.
The path forward is clear: build standards, promote safety, and foster innovation while preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage. If these goals are achieved, traditional medicine will not only continue to heal but also become a vital engine for national development.
