At the Sixth Medical Herbalist Induction Ceremony in Accra, the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, and the Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Dr. Michael Kyerematen, celebrated Ghana’s progressive strides toward a healthcare system that combines traditional and modern medicine.
This year’s theme, “Unlocking the Potential of Herbal Medicine in the National Health Insurance Scheme for Inclusive Holistic Healthcare,” highlighted Ghana’s focus on creating a holistic, culturally rooted healthcare system accessible to all citizens.
In his keynote address, Hon. Acquah emphasized that the Ministry of Health’s commitment to integrating herbal medicine into mainstream healthcare honors Ghana’s cultural heritage while enhancing healthcare accessibility.
He underscored how herbal medicine, with its deep roots in traditional wisdom and generations of empirical knowledge, offers unique therapeutic approaches to complement conventional treatments.
“The journey of integrating herbal medicine into our healthcare system has not been without challenges,” Acquah acknowledged, “but these challenges have only strengthened our resolve.” Through close collaboration with the TMPC and traditional medicine practitioners, the Ministry has developed frameworks to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of herbal treatments.
Dr. Kyerematen’s welcome address to attendees reaffirmed the TMPC’s commitment to interprofessional collaboration. He highlighted the council’s achievements in fostering sectoral synergy across academia, policy, and practice, as well as in expanding patient access to integrated healthcare options.
Kyerematen emphasized that collaboration among practitioners and policymakers could help address health disparities, develop evidence-based traditional medicine practices, and empower patient choice.
The TMPC also announced the launch of its new digital platform, enabling medical herbalists to register, renew licenses, and access job placements online. This initiative underscores TMPC’s ongoing efforts to modernize and support the herbal medicine sector in Ghana.
As the newly inducted medical herbalists received certificates, the Deputy Minister encouraged them to continue pursuing excellence, research, and patient-centered care. The ceremony concluded with applause for the inductees, who now stand as vital contributors to Ghana’s evolving healthcare landscape.
