Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf urges government to codify traditional medicine

Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf has called on the government to document and codify traditional medicine practices to ensure their seamless integration into Ghana’s national healthcare delivery system. Speaking at the Volta Traditional Medicine Heritage Conference held in Ho, Dr. Yusuf emphasized that formalizing indigenous knowledge is essential for enhancing the credibility and efficacy of the sector. The conference focused on strategies for embedding traditional medicine within the broader medical framework to improve health outcomes across the country.

During his address, Dr. Yusuf pointed to international success stories, citing India and China as prime examples where traditional knowledge has been effectively integrated into modern healthcare. He argued that Ghana must adopt similar models by investing heavily in the documentation of traditional remedies and practices. Such a move, he noted, would protect intellectual property and provide a structured basis for research and development within the industry, ultimately allowing practitioners to contribute more effectively to the public health space.

The conference also served as a platform for stakeholders to advocate for increased investment and collaboration between traditional practitioners and formal medical institutions. Participants praised the Ghana Health Service for its ongoing efforts to expand the number of facilities offering traditional medicine services. However, they maintained that a unified approach, supported by strong government policy and codification, is necessary to fully restore public confidence and maximize the potential of Ghana’s traditional medicinal heritage.