Prof. Duncan chairs Traditional Medicine Practice Council - Vows to push for herbal medicine standardisation
The newly appointed Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, has stated that he will initiate strategic measures to standardise the country's traditional medicines and position the industry as a major player on the global market.
Prof. Duncan, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Limited, a herbal medicine manufacturer, explained that the world has become scientific. It is therefore important to subject the country’s rich herbal medicine to rigorous research, standardisation and regulation to improve its global recognition and economic value.
“Traditional medicine has been there for generations, since Adam, so nobody can say that traditional medicine is not good. So, we have to create proper public education, standardise our products through research because everything is science, and add value to what we have. This is what we will be championing at the council to take us to the next level,” he said.
Swearing-in
Prof. Duncan said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday after he was sworn in as Chairperson of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, together with other chairpersons and members of six governing boards under the Ministry of Health.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, swore in the members of the governing councils of the Mental Health Authority, the Ghana College of Pharmacists, the National Ambulance Service, the National Blood Service, and the Allied Health Professions Council yesterday.
This signifies that the government has entrusted the governance and strategic direction of the health sector agencies to a group of accomplished individuals in their respective fields.
They, therefore, took the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy administered by Mr Akandoh.
Revenue, sceptics
Prof. Duncan said the country could generate no less than $10 billion annually from traditional medicine if the sector was properly developed, regulated and marketed.
However, he acknowledged that in spite of about 70 per cent of the population relying on traditional medicine, scepticism still existed regarding its safety.
To address such misgivings, the COA Mixture innovator emphasised the need for intensified public education, research and product standardisation.
He stressed that traditional medicine, which predates modern medicine, must now be backed by science and regulation to gain full acceptance and trust both locally and internationally, especially within the medical community.
Council’s vision
As Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Prof. Duncan outlined some key focus areas for the council.
They included ensuring that all traditional medicine practitioners are properly registered and licensed to eliminate quackery and protect public safety; collaborating with research institutions to enhance the quality and effectiveness of traditional medicines; integrating traditional medicine into the national healthcare system in partnership with the Ministry of Health; and providing training and capacity-building programmes for practitioners.
“Our ancestors relied on traditional medicine for their health and well-being, and it is our duty to promote, control and regulate this practice to ensure its safety and efficacy for future generations,” he added.
He said those strategic interventions would promote professionalism, enhance public trust and position traditional medicine as a credible component of Ghana’s healthcare delivery.
Reforms
The Minister of Health called on members of the new boards to drive reforms and deliver tangible results that would improve healthcare delivery across the country.
Mr Akandoh emphasised that effective regulation was the backbone of safe, equitable and trusted health care.
He, therefore, tasked the boards with working collaboratively, focusing on practical solutions, and ensuring that long-standing challenges in the health sector are no longer repeated.
“Your boards are not being called to oversee merely.
They are being called to steer.
The ministry will support you with policies, coordination and systems.
But we also expect results because real regulation is not about paperwork.
It's about protecting lives, building trust, and keeping the promise of health for all.
This government will not tolerate the usual lamentations and repetition of institutional challenges,” he said.
Mr Akandoh further urged the boards to be data-driven, results-oriented and patient-focused.
