The Department of Herbal Medicine at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has commissioned its newly renovated office and boardroom, made possible through sponsorship from the Chief Executive Officer of Medimafo Herbal Clinic, T. Dr. Atuahene Boateng.
The event brought together faculty members, students, and invited guests to witness the formal opening of the refurbished space. The upgrade is expected to enhance administrative operations and provide a more conducive environment for staff and student engagement.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Asare-Nkansah, expressed appreciation for the donor’s generosity and encouraged other stakeholders to emulate the gesture.
Professor Kingsley Amponsah, Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, commented on the donation, stating:
“The university is doing so much, looking at the infrastructure here at KNUST, but we still need more. We, therefore, look elsewhere for inspiration to make the office befitting and extend such improvements to other areas of need in the faculty.”
He continued: “I must say that we are very grateful. We can now sit here, work, and dream greatness for KNUST and Mother Ghana. We are indebted to Dr. Atuahene Boateng for his support.”
Professor Amponsah also called for a more holistic approach to herbal medicine production and urged the public to dispel misconceptions surrounding its use.
“There are herbal products in hospitals which are standardized and have been used for more than 40 years. It is, therefore, regrettable when we hear such blanket statements about herbal medicine,” he said.
“If we make such statements, we undermine our local initiatives to develop indigenous products. If COVID-19 didn’t teach us a lesson, we will struggle. The lesson I learned from the pandemic is that we must focus on developing our own medicine. Let’s support our local manufacturers.”
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to collaborating with industry to enhance education. He emphasized the importance of partnerships between government and stakeholders in advancing teaching and learning.
He also encouraged other stakeholders present, noting that the College is “open-armed” to receive support that enhances the learning experience.
T. Dr. Atuahene Boateng, CEO of Medimafo Herbal Clinic, expressed gratitude to the department’s management and thanked fellow herbal manufacturers present for their role in advancing Ghana’s healthcare systems.
He shared his vision for the field: “To be the leading global health centre for holistic herbal healing in Africa and beyond.”
Dr. Boateng also called for increased research into prevailing claims about herbal medicine: “We must investigate the claim that herbal medicine causes kidney and liver disease,” he stated. “Such assertions should be backed by evidence. Herbal medicine has been serving the nation for decades.”
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the newly renovated office and boardroom, visibly impressed by the transformation.
