Madrid: Professor Kwame Banga, Director of the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), announced a strategic initiative to incorporate Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) into Ghana's healthcare framework.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Banga emphasized ITAM's role as a national reference center focused on herbal product validation, research translation, and policy support. The Institute aims to collaborate with the National Vaccine Institute and other partners to develop traditional medicine for both local and international markets. ITAM is also promoting public education and advocacy to build understanding and trust in TCAM practices, working with stakeholders including the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations, the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists, and the Ministry of Health Traditional Medicine Directorate.
Prof Banga highlighted the establishment of the Natural Products Laboratory (NatPro Lab) as a significant advancement in ITAM's development. The facility, funded by the Indian government, is expected to foster collaboration between India and Ghana in traditional medicine. The lab adheres to WHO and FDA-Ghana standards and offers services such as phytochemical screening and toxicological evaluation, reinforcing ITAM's position as a regional hub for integrative medicine.
The Institute has trained nearly 400 Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the Oti and Volta Regions and parts of Togo. Prof Banga invites prospective students, practitioners, policymakers, and the public to engage with ITAM's mission to merge tradition and science for a healthier future. ITAM continues to serve as a bridge between innovation and traditional heritage in transforming lives.