The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has raised concerns about the detrimental effects of illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey”, on its operations.
The federation, which aims to improve the delivery, accessibility, and quality of traditional health services in Ghana to international standards, asserts that these activities pose a significant threat.
Dr Willie Nana Pray, the Public Relations Officer for GHAFTRAM, speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, disclosed that the federation has initiated a new approach to combat this issue.
He explained that illegal mining threatens not only water and forest reserves but also the practice of traditional medicine.
As a direct response to this threat, GHAFTRAM has launched an advocacy initiative urging all members to establish their own farms for cultivating medicinal plants.
Dr Nana Pray emphasised that this solution was deemed the most appropriate, as illegal mining has severely polluted the natural sources from which practitioners traditionally gather their plants.
He stated, “Illegal mining activities have badly affected our operations, and so, as a solution, we have launched an advocacy where we have encouraged practitioners to have their own farms… This will prevent the plants used for the medicines from being contaminated.”
He further expressed the federation’s hope for government support in securing dedicated land for cultivation to aid in the development of traditional medicines.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
