The government is exploring ways to integrate scientifically validated traditional medicine into Ghana’s mainstream healthcare system to improve access to quality healthcare, Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has said.
She stressed the need for traditional and conventional medicine to work together safely, guided by scientific research and evidence, citing China as an example of a country where the two systems complement each other.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah made the remarks during a visit to the Center of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Company, a herbal medicine manufacturing facility in the Central Region.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Deputy Minister to engage management and staff and inspect the facility to assess its compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
According to her, the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme, which prioritises preventive and promotive healthcare, offers an opportunity to explore the contribution of traditional medicine to healthcare delivery in Ghana.
She identified non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes, as areas where scientifically validated traditional medicines could potentially support prevention and treatment.
“Traditional medicine has an important role to play in improving healthcare delivery,” Prof. Ayensu-Danquah said, emphasising that its integration into the healthcare system must be backed by research, quality assurance and effective regulation.
She further indicated that the Ministry of Health would continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to strengthen research, manufacturing standards, quality assurance and regulatory oversight within the traditional medicine sector.
The Deputy Minister maintained that integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system should not compromise patient safety or the quality of medical care.
Chief Executive Officer of COA Research and Manufacturing Company, Prof. (HC) Samuel Ato Duncan, welcomed the government’s commitment to developing traditional medicine to meet standards that would enable it to complement national healthcare programmes, particularly the Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
He disclosed that COA was conducting research into the potential health benefits of its products, including studies relating to cancer and viral diseases.
Prof. Duncan emphasised the importance of sustained research and collaboration among traditional medicine practitioners, manufacturers and government institutions in unlocking the sector’s potential and expanding its contribution to Ghana’s healthcare system.
The Deputy Minister’s visit forms part of broader efforts to assess and strengthen the capacity of local herbal medicine manufacturers while advancing the government’s plans to integrate scientifically validated and properly regulated traditional medicine into the country’s healthcare system.
The initiative seeks to promote collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine while ensuring that patient safety, scientific evidence and quality healthcare remain central to the integration process.
