Deputy Minister for Health Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu‑Danquah visited the Centre of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Company in the Central Region to push for a deeper integration of traditional medicine into Ghana’s mainstream health system. She highlighted that, when properly researched, regulated and manufactured to approved standards, traditional remedies could expand access to safe and quality care.
During the tour, Ayensu‑Danquah inspected COA’s facilities and engaged with management and staff to assess compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices. She noted that Ghana could learn from countries such as China, where traditional and conventional medicine coexist to complement healthcare delivery.
Ayensu‑Danquah said the Free Primary Healthcare programme, which emphasises preventive and promotive care, offers an opportunity to explore how traditional medicine could support the delivery of primary services. She identified non‑communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, as areas where validated traditional treatments could contribute.
COA CEO Prof. (HC) Samuel Ato Duncan welcomed the government’s efforts to raise the sector to a standard that would allow it to complement national healthcare programmes. He added that the company is researching potential health benefits of its products, including applications in cancer and viral disease management.
Duncan stressed the need for continued research and collaboration between traditional practitioners, researchers and government bodies to strengthen the evidence base and enable a greater contribution to Ghana’s health delivery.
Ayensu‑Danquah affirmed that the Ministry of Health will work with stakeholders to enhance research, quality assurance, manufacturing and regulation within the traditional medicine sector, aiming to create a system where traditional and conventional medicine safely complement each other on the basis of scientific evidence and appropriate regulatory standards.
