The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), in partnership with the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM), has launched a specialised practitioner training programme aimed at raising standards in herbal medicine practice and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ghana.
The programme seeks to bridge indigenous herbal knowledge with modern scientific and regulatory standards to enhance the quality, safety and global competitiveness of herbal medicine production in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Head, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prof. Isaac Kingsley Amponsah commended GHAFTRAM for supporting the growth of herbal medicine education at KNUST and acknowledged practitioners for providing internship and practical training opportunities for students.
He said the growing recognition of herbal medicine within Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector had made continuous professional training necessary to help practitioners meet evolving industry and regulatory requirements.
The Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine, Dr. Bernard Kofi Turkson, described the partnership as an important step toward advancing herbal medicine practice in Ghana.
He stressed the need for continuous learning and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems, warning that failure to properly preserve traditional knowledge could affect future generations.
According to Dr. Turkson, participants will be trained in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques, including capsule production, quality assurance systems and regulatory compliance requirements needed for registration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
The 1st Vice President of GHAFTRAM, Mr. Joseph Kofi Takyi, expressed appreciation to KNUST for continuously supporting practitioners through capacity-building programmes.
He urged participants to approach the training with professionalism and commitment in order to improve standards within the herbal medicine industry.
