Call for Regional Research Centres to Strengthen Herbal Medicine in Ghana

A plant medicine practitioner has called for the establishment of regional research departments to strengthen the development and credibility of herbal medicine in Ghana.

Speaking in Sunyani, Dr Evans Kwasi Toffah urged stakeholders to decentralise research efforts to improve accessibility and enhance the quality and efficacy of plant-based treatments. According to him, creating regional research centres would provide herbalists with the opportunity to conduct more rigorous studies and develop standardised, high-quality products.

He noted that such an initiative could significantly improve healthcare delivery outcomes, particularly as herbal medicine continues to play a vital role in communities across the country. Dr Toffah, who practices at the Malincom Herbal Center, emphasised that integrating scientific methods into herbal medicine remains essential to ensuring safety, consistency, and effectiveness.

He further highlighted the challenges practitioners face in accessing research facilities, pointing out that many from the Bono Region and beyond must travel long distances to the Centre for Plant Medicine Research in the Eastern Region. This, he said, creates barriers that limit innovation and slow progress in the sector.

Dr Toffah also stressed the need to strengthen the capacity and knowledge base of herbal medicine practitioners, acknowledging their significant contributions to national healthcare and community well-being.

He concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among government agencies, researchers, and industry stakeholders to support the establishment of regional research departments, describing it as a necessary step toward advancing Ghana’s healthcare system and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Source: GNA