The Department of Herbal Medicine at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has organised a training workshop for herbal manufacturers aimed at improving manufacturing standards in Ghana.
The fortnight workshop, themed “Advanced Herbal Formulations and Quality Production,” seeks to elevate Ghana’s herbal medicine manufacturing standards through knowledge-sharing, training, and skill development.
The workshop is expected to provide herbal manufacturers with the practical training and expertise necessary to enhance their existing knowledge and improve production processes.
Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, Professor Isaac Kingsley Amponsah, emphasised that the workshop would empower participants with the skills to formulate herbal medicines that meet international safety and efficacy standards.
“This training marks the beginning of an initiative to elevate Ghana's herbal manufacturing standards. It will cover techniques such as extraction of medicinal compounds, advanced formulation methods, production of pharmaceutical tablets and capsules, quality control testing, fermentation processes, and research and development to ensure the authenticity of herbal medicines,” he explained.
Chief Executive Officer of Solak Biochemist Limited, Dr. Solomon Appiah Kubi, highlighted that the core objective of the training is to extract specific alkaloids and bioactive compounds from raw materials and reformulate them to meet pharmaceutical standards.
He added that the training would also promote retrospective clinical studies to scientifically verify product safety for human consumption, bridge the gap in meeting international standards, and foster healthy competition with advanced countries.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Samuel Asare Nkansah, encouraged herbal manufacturers to build their capacity and deepen their knowledge in the field to expand Ghana's herbal brand beyond national borders.
“Continuous learning adds knowledge, which enhances the skills needed to become experts in manufacturing quality herbal medicines,” he stated.
