Accra: The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM), supported by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and in partnership with the Centre for National Culture (CNC), Greater Accra, has launched the 2026 Traditional Herbal Medicine Exhibition in Accra. This exhibition is set to run from July 1 to July 3, 2026, at the Arts Centre in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event aims to emphasize the crucial role traditional medicine plays in healthcare delivery, cultural preservation, economic empowerment, research, and national development. The theme for the exhibition, 'Resetting Through Nature: The Power of Traditional Medicine on Nation Building,' highlights these objectives.
Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri, General Secretary of GHAFTRAM, who presided over the launch, stated that the exhibition would serve as a platform for various stakeholders, including practitioners, researchers, manufacturers, cultural institutions, policymakers, investors, students, and the general public. The event will enable these groups to interact, share experiences, showcase innovations, and promote the progression of the traditional medicine sector.
He mentioned that the exhibition is an opportunity to showcase Ghana's rich traditional medicine heritage, enhance public awareness and education, encourage research and innovation, and create networking and business opportunities for practitioners. It will also reinforce collaboration between cultural institutions and stakeholders in traditional medicine, contributing to national efforts aimed at developing a sustainable and globally competitive traditional medicine industry in Ghana.
Nana Obiri emphasized the exhibition's role in preserving and promoting Ghana's indigenous knowledge systems and traditional medicine heritage, which are deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Ghanaians. He highlighted the historical reliance on natural resources and indigenous knowledge for health and wellbeing, which continues to be relevant for millions across Ghana and beyond.
He called upon traditional medicine practitioners, educational institutions, regulatory bodies, development partners, media organisations, and the public to engage actively in the exhibition. He expressed hope that this platform would celebrate Ghana's heritage, promote indigenous knowledge, and demonstrate traditional medicine's significant contribution to nation-building.
Mr Wakefield Ackuaku, Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, remarked that traditional herbal medicine is not just a part of Ghana's past but remains a significant cultural and economic asset capable of contributing meaningfully to the country's future. He noted the herbal medicine sector's potential to generate employment in areas such as cultivation, processing, research, packaging, marketing, tourism, and export.