The Traditional Herbalist Association Ghana (THAG) has urged the government to invest in traditional and herbal medicine to help reduce unemployment and boost economic growth.
The association believes that establishing research centers and manufacturing facilities will enable practitioners to produce high-quality medicine, ultimately easing the unemployment burden on the government.
Speaking at the 25th-anniversary celebration and the official name change from the Northern Sector Traditional Herbalists Association to the Traditional Herbalist Association Ghana, the National President, Mr. B.K. Asare, emphasized the urgent need for government support in the sector.
He stated that prioritizing traditional and herbal medicine would strengthen the economy and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported drugs.
“It is time for Ghana to emulate countries like China and India. This is the surest way to protect our people from harmful diseases that were unknown to us just four decades ago,” he said.
Mr. Asare also expressed concern over the widespread use of chemicals in food production, which he believes poses serious health risks. He stressed the importance of natural herbs as a safer and more effective alternative.
“Leaf is not harmful. Our forefathers used to take a leaf, and they were healthy. But today, we are being told that our leaf is not good because it has not been approved by the FDA. Meanwhile, the chemicals that they are approving are the ones harming us,” he lamented.
The association has long advocated for the promotion of herbal medicine in Ghana, and Mr. Asare believes that with the government’s backing, the sector can thrive.
“We want to promote herbal medicine in Ghana because we believe it is safer and more effective than orthodox medicine. We need the government’s support to help us achieve our goals,” he stated.
Highlighting the challenges facing the association, Mr. Asare pointed out that the high cost of registering herbal products with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) remains a major hurdle. He explained that many practitioners lack the financial capacity to meet registration requirements, making it difficult for them to operate legally.
“Registration with the FDA is a major challenge for us. The process is costly and time-consuming, and many of our members cannot afford it,” he noted.
“We need financial support to operate effectively. We rely on donations and membership fees, but these funds are not enough to support our activities,” he added.
Explaining the decision to change the association’s name, Mr. Asare stated that the move was necessary to reflect the organization’s national reach. He noted that the previous name gave the impression that the association was exclusive to the northern sector of Ghana, which limited its recognition and acceptance.
“When we went around registering people, most thought the association was only for Northerners. But we are a national association, and we want our name to reflect that,” he said.
Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, the Municipal Director of Health for La Nkwantanang, reaffirmed the Ghana Health Service’s (GHS) commitment to working with traditional herbalists to enhance healthcare delivery. She acknowledged the significant role traditional medicine plays in the lives of many Ghanaians and emphasized the need for collaboration between orthodox and alternative medical practitioners.
“We believe that health is a collaborative effort. It’s not just about orthodox medicine because a large proportion of our population seeks care from alternative medical providers,” she stated.
Dr. Kutsoati also encouraged herbal practitioners to refer patients to hospitals when necessary to ensure they receive timely and effective treatment.
The Traditional Herbalist Association Ghana remains committed to advocating for increased government support, financial assistance, and policy reforms to help traditional and herbal medicine thrive as a key contributor to Ghana’s healthcare and economic development.
