The Traditional Medicine Practitioners Council (TMPC) is committed to enhancing safety and regulation within the traditional medicine sector, as emphasized by Dr. (MH) Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, the Council’s Registrar.
During the recent inauguration of the new Governing Boards for various health regulatory bodies in Accra, Dr. Yusuf pointed out that a significant portion of the Ghanaian population, approximately 60 to 70%, relies on traditional medicine as their primary source of healthcare.
This reliance underscores the urgent need for standardization of practices and products within the industry.
“Standardization has always been our primary challenge. The Ghanaian public has consistently advocated for proper regulation in a sector that is vital to their health. With the inauguration of our board, we are now better positioned to work alongside key agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. Our goal is to ensure that herbal products and services offered by traditional practitioners are both safe and certified,” he stated.
Dr. Yusuf assured the public that the TMPC will focus on improving public education, enforcing stricter licensing standards, and monitoring compliance to ensure that practitioners are adequately trained and certified before they commence their practice.
He called for public trust as Ghana enhances its investment in traditional and alternative medicine.
“We want Ghanaians to feel confident when they visit any herbal center or spa, knowing they are receiving services from qualified and licensed professionals,” he concluded.