Deputy Minister of Interior, Ebenezer OKlettey Tei Larbi, has lauded the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, formerly Centre for Research into Plant Medicine, for their commitment to conservation of herbal medicine resources of Ghana.
Tei Larbi, speaking during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Centre’s Oku Ampofo Memorial (COAM) Excellence in Biomedical Research and Innovation conference in Accra on the theme; Plant Medicine Research: Harnessing our Heritage for our Healing, lauded how the Centre has contributed towards the country’s health system.
Ebenezer Tei Larbi, himself a former staff of CPMR, acknowledged the critical role the centre plays in the delivery of alternative medicine to Ghanaians over the last fifty years.
According to him, “for over fifty years, the Centre for Plant Medicine Research has led the way and developed more than 30 herbal products.”
Many Ghanaians are turning to traditional herbal remedies as a natural and affordable alternative to Western medicine. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a major boost for this trend, when people sought to boost their immune system with herbs as a defense to the ailment.
Experts say the shift towards herbal medicine is also driven by the high cost of conventional medicine, making it inaccessible to many. Herbal medicine, on the other hand, is often seen as a more affordable and accessible option.
Some popular herbal remedies in Ghana include the neem tree, aloe vera, and ginger, which are used to treat a range of ailments from malaria and fever to skin conditions and digestive issues.
While the resurgence of interest in herbal medicine has its benefits, experts caution that safety and efficacy must be ensured through proper research and regulation.
The Centre remains an integral part of government’s agenda and Ghana’s quest to be hub for alternative and or traditional medicine research on the continent.
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