The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has responded to a report by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) revealing that less than 15 per cent of over 100,000 traditional medicine practitioners in the country are currently registered in its database.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Dr Willie Nana Pray, the Public Relations Officer of GHAFTRAM, stated that the federation does not dispute the figures released by the regulator. He, however, reassured the Ghanaian public that traditional medicine practitioners adhere to high standards to safeguard the health and well-being of their patrons.
“We will not doubt the claims by the Council because they have the data. However, I would want to assure Ghanaians that we prioritise their safety and so they have nothing to fear. As practitioners, we believe that even before the existence of the Council, we had practitioners who worked and provided holistic services. I also want to assure Ghanaians that we have a system where the drugs we manufacture are of the best quality. There are people in the villages who may not have licences but are providing services to people with positive outcomes.”
Dr Nana Pray clarified that the sector broadly comprises three categories of practitioners: traditional medicine practitioners, herbal doctors, and medical herbalists. He explained that while some individuals may lack formal registration, this does not automatically render their products or treatments harmful. Although he acknowledged that excesses exist within the practice, he stressed that enforcement should be managed constructively to allow legitimate practitioners who possess proper structures to operate effectively.
According to him, the law mandates practitioners to belong to a recognised association that guarantees, approves, and supports them through the TMPC licensing process. He noted that the traditional and herbal medicine sector is governed by clear benchmarks, urging all operators to fulfill the necessary requirements to secure full accreditation.
To protect consumer health, Dr Nana Pray appealed to the public to patronise only licensed traditional medicine practitioners and certified products. He explained that by law, every accredited facility is required to prominently display its operational licence, complete with a scannable QR code that enables members of the public to verify the practitioner’s standing.
He advised members of the federation to strictly abide by professional standards to maintain public trust in the sector, while urging regulatory bodies and relevant authorities to enforce compliance and take firm disciplinary action against defaulters where necessary.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana