The General Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), Okogye Ebibidruo Nana Kwadwo Obiri, has emphasized the association’s commitment to ensuring global recognition for Ghanaian herbal medicine.

In pursuit of this goal, GHAFTRAM has established a monitoring team dedicated to cracking down on individuals selling unregistered herbal medicine on the streets and transport stations to the Ghanaian public.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Traditional Herbalist Association of Ghana (THAG), Nana Kwadwo Obiri highlighted that Act 851 of the Public Health Act does not prohibit the sale of herbal medicine at transport stations.

Instead, it empowers them to ensure that counterfeit herbal medicine is removed from the market.

He appealed to the public to vigilantly monitor and provide timely and accurate information that would lead to the apprehension of sellers of fake herbal drugs in the country.

Nana Kwadwo Obiri further urged all associations under GHAFTRAM to continually educate their members on procedures to ensure that their products receive approval from the Food and Drugs Authority.

Dr. B.K. Asare, President of the Traditional Herbalist Association of Ghana, called on the government to subsidize fees paid at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research and the Food and Drugs Authority.

This, he believes, would enable more young herbal practitioners to submit their products for scrutiny.

He also appealed to the government to incorporate herbal medicine into the National Health Insurance scheme, asserting that this would elevate the value of herbal medicine in Ghana and contribute to its global recognition.

Dr. B.K. Asare advised consumers to always purchase their drugs from approved sources and avoid buying from unregistered drug peddlers.

In addition, T-Dr. Simon Agyemang Duah, Welfare Chairman of the Traditional Herbalist Association of Ghana and CEO of Agyenco Herbal, advised young women opting for birth control (family planning) to inquire about the potential implications from healthcare professionals.

He advocated for the herbal approach to family planning, citing fewer side effects compared to orthodox products.

He emphasized that while the law does not oppose family planning, opting for the herbal method is a preferable choice for those seeking birth control without adverse effects.