TMPC marks one year of transformation under acting registrar

The Traditional Medicine Practice Council says it has undergone major reforms in the past year, driven by strategic leadership, decentralisation and digital transformation.

This comes as its Acting Registrar, Dr (MH) Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, marks one year in office with what the Council describes as significant institutional progress.

In the sphere of public sector governance, leadership is often judged not just by vision, but by execution.

Over the past twelve months, the Council says it has been repositioned into a more modern, responsive, and forward-looking regulatory body serving Ghana’s traditional and alternative medicine sector.

A key milestone has been the development of a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the Council’s operations.

The plan focuses on strengthening regulatory systems, improving stakeholder collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth within the sector.

The Council has also expanded its reach through decentralisation.

New and renovated district and regional offices have brought services closer to practitioners, improving access and operational efficiency.

As part of this effort, the Acting Registrar undertook working visits across five regions in Northern Ghana, as well as the Volta and Bono/Bono East regions, securing office spaces to strengthen the Council’s presence.

In line with modern public sector reforms, the Council has also embraced digital transformation.

The introduction of the Ghana.gov payment platform has improved revenue collection, transparency, and administrative efficiency.

Internally, staff welfare has been prioritised, with a 15 percent increase in allowances for contract personnel and the clearance of long-standing promotions.

These measures have boosted morale and strengthened the Council’s human resource capacity.

Infrastructure development has also been a focus, with new office space secured and renovation works ongoing for the Council’s head office to enhance service delivery.

Additionally, all outstanding Traditional and Alternative Medicine Assistant training sessions from 2023 have been completed to strengthen staff capacity and uphold regulatory standards.

On governance, the Council is set to inaugurate its first Audit Committee, while key leadership positions in human resource, accounts, and internal audit units have been filled to improve oversight and accountability.

After one year in office, the Traditional Medicine Practice Council says it has laid a solid foundation for growth, with expectations of further reforms to strengthen regulation and development of the sector.

Meanwhile, the TPMC acting registrar has nurtured the vision to among other things develop and make the traditional herbal medicine space better, devoid of quack practitioners.

He said, "my tenure will ensure the development and regulation of Ghana’s traditional, herbal and alternative medicine (TAM) sector into a globally competitive industry that delivers safe, effective, and evidence-based products, while creating sustainable jobs across the value chain."