Ghana’s traditional medicine sector has achieved another important international milestone with the publication of a scholarly article in the prestigious Nature Mental Health journal, one of the world’s leading scientific journals.
The publication, titled “Building Evidence-Based Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Provides an Opportunity for Neuroscientists and Traditional Medical Practitioners,” features Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri as one of its four co-authors.
Nana Kwadwo Obiri, who serves as the General Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM), joins an international team of researchers from Stony Brook University (USA), Farmingdale State College (USA), the University of Ghana, and GHAFTRAM in advocating stronger collaboration between scientists and traditional medical practitioners.
The publication argues that traditional medicine should be strengthened through scientific research, evidence generation, ethical collaboration, and mutual respect between researchers and practitioners. It highlights Ghana as an important example of how traditional medical practitioners can work alongside scientists to improve healthcare, particularly in mental health and community-based care.
A particularly significant aspect of this publication is that Nana Kwadwo Obiri is the only practising Ghanaian traditional medical practitioner among the co-authors, ensuring that the experiences, knowledge, and perspectives of traditional healers are represented in international scientific discussions. The article notes that including a GHAFTRAM leader and a practising traditional healer as co-authors reflects a commitment to equitable knowledge production between scientists and traditional practitioners.
Over the years, Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri has consistently championed:
The documentation and scientific validation of African Traditional Medicine.
Collaboration between traditional practitioners, universities, and research institutions.
Higher professional standards and ethical practice within Ghana’s traditional medicine sector.
National and international recognition of indigenous medical knowledge.
Evidence-based policies that strengthen traditional medicine within Ghana’s healthcare system.
His contributions extend beyond clinical practice to research, policy development, professional advocacy, education, and public awareness, making him one of the leading voices promoting the modernisation of traditional medicine in Ghana.
This latest international publication further demonstrates that Ghanaian traditional medicine practitioners are not only custodians of indigenous knowledge but are also making meaningful contributions to global scientific research. It positions Nana Kwadwo Obiri as an important bridge between traditional knowledge and modern scientific inquiry, helping ensure that African traditional medicine is studied, respected, and integrated into evidence-based healthcare discussions worldwide.
“This publication is not only a personal achievement but also a recognition of the immense value of Ghana’s traditional medical practitioners. It demonstrates that our indigenous knowledge deserves a place in global scientific research and healthcare innovation.”
