The Department of Herbal Medicine at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi has launched activities to mark its 25th anniversary, with university leaders calling for deeper scientific validation of indigenous medicine and stronger integration into national healthcare systems.
Vice-Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson described the anniversary as more than a ceremonial milestone, saying it reflected “vision, courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to scholarship, innovation, and national development.”
She said the department had grown into a centre of excellence in teaching, research and innovation, producing graduates who serve as clinicians, researchers, educators and leaders in Ghana and beyond.
“Twenty-five years ago, the introduction of the BSc Herbal Medicine was a bold and pioneering proposition that transformed pharmaceutical education and set the pace for innovation and research,” she said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Samuel Asare-Nkansah, described the programme’s evolution as challenging but rewarding. He said the herbal medicine programme was introduced in the early 2000s following the passage of Ghana’s Traditional Medicine Act.
Over the past 25 years, he said, the faculty has trained about 600 graduates who are contributing to healthcare delivery in Ghana and abroad, with many alumni holding positions in regulatory bodies and health institutions.
“What started as a pilot programme has now grown into a fully recognised academic discipline making national impact,” he said.
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, urged the department to move from local recognition to global influence by strengthening evidence-based research in traditional medicine.
“About 70 to 80 percent of Africans depend on herbal medicine,” he said, stressing the need for proper regulation, scientific validation and professional training. “We have done a lot in 25 years, but the next phase must focus on global recognition and stronger research output.”
Professor Alex Asase, Executive Director of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research and former Head of the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology at the University of Ghana, highlighted the importance of Ghana’s natural heritage in national development and called for stronger scientific validation and integration of herbal medicine into mainstream healthcare systems.
“Traditional medicine remains a major pillar of healthcare, especially in Africa and Asia, largely because of its accessibility and affordability,” he said.
The Acting Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Dr. (MH) Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, described the celebration as both memorable and personal, noting that he is an alumnus of the programme. He recalled the dedication of early lecturers whose discipline and commitment shaped generations of students.
“I remember how some of our lecturers would still climb stairs with remarkable energy, even at advanced ages. Their passion for teaching and research constantly inspired us,” he said.
Dr. Yusuf also pointed to the growing global relevance of traditional medicine, noting that the World Health Organization adopted its Traditional Medicine Strategy in June 2025 with an emphasis on evidence, quality and integration into healthcare systems.
“The global traditional medicine market is valued at over 200 billion dollars, and in Ghana alone, the industry generated about GH₵2 billion in 2023,” he said. “This shows that herbal medicine is not only about healing but also about economic empowerment.”
He said KNUST remained a critical stakeholder in the development of the sector and called for sustained investment in training, research and innovation to support its continued growth.
