Traditional Healers Associations calls for support

Bolgatanga, Aug. 17, GNA - The Traditional Healers Association of Ghana (THAG) on Sunday called on the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) to support and authenticate traditional medicine.

The Association stressed that a research it conducted indicates that about 75 per cent of Ghanaians patronize traditional medicines. The call was made when the President of the Upper East Traditional Healers Association, Mr John Akaribo, presented a general report on the activities of the Association so far, since its formation in 1990. He stressed that there was the need for the FDB to fashion out a mechanism to enable the GTHA to complement with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in addressing the health needs of the people.

"Considering the fact that majority of Ghanaians resort to traditional medicine for their health needs, makes it necessary to integrate safe and regulated traditional medicine practice into the orthodox health system, by strengthening traditional herbal medicine", he indicated.

Mr Akaribo stated that the Association was adequately and well-equipped to complement the GHS in delivering healthcare to the people, saying, a lot of capacity building workshops had been instituted for GTHA members.

Mr Akaribo pointed out that the Association had also held a baseline study discussion with external groups including the World Bank, all geared towards ensuring quality health delivery to Ghanaians.

The GTHA President also disclosed that the Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project has also helped the association to establish a medicinal plant garden at Nyariga, a suburb of Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

It has also been provided with a motor-cycle, 15 bicycles, 20 pairs of Wellington boots and 20 rain coats, a permanent office equipped with a computer, a printer and furniture among others, all geared towards enhancing and empowering the association to deliver effectively and efficiently.

The President further indicated that the association has cultivated, multiplied and conserved a lot of endangered medicinal plant species, which he noted, were enough to equip and empower the GTHA in complementing the GHS in its health care delivery.