National Security Cautions ‘Dr.’ Bediako Mensah


The National Security has cautioned self-styled herbal practitioner ‘Dr.’ Alex Bediako Mensah over misleading claims regarding the renewal of licenses for traditional medicine practitioners.

The controversy began when the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) intensified its routine monitoring and inspection of herbal facilities to ensure compliance with Section 9 (1) of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 2000 (Act 575). This provision mandates that only registered practitioners can operate herbal medicine facilities or produce herbal remedies for sale. Additionally, Section 12 (1,2) of the Act requires practitioners to renew their licenses periodically.

During one of these inspections, the TMPC’s Compliance and Enforcement Inspectorate (CEI) team discovered that ‘Dr.’ Bediako Mensah was operating an unlicensed herbal shop, China Natural Herbal Shop, at Lapaz. Further investigations revealed that he also owned three additional facilities across the country—two in Greater Accra and one in the Ashanti Region—all with expired licenses. Despite multiple notices from the TMPC urging him to renew them, he failed to comply.

Matters escalated when a voice note surfaced, purportedly from ‘Dr.’ Bediako Mensah, claiming he had been advised by National Security not to pay for renewals until a new Registrar was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama. He also urged other practitioners to withhold payments to the TMPC.

The TMPC reported this to National Security, which subsequently invited ‘Dr.’ Bediako Mensah for questioning on February 6, 2025. During the interrogation, he claimed that a certain "Baba" had given him the directive. However, upon verification, it was established that the advice was based on misinformation and had no official backing.

To resolve the issue, National Security cautioned ‘Dr.’ Bediako Mensah and instructed him to retract his false claims. He was directed to issue both a written and verbal retraction using the same platform on which he spread the misinformation. He complied and also agreed to regularize his operations with the TMPC.

The TMPC has reiterated its commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance to maintain high standards in traditional medicine spractice in Ghana.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chieftaincy Crisis: Ngleshie Alata Chiefs Reject Imposed Mantse

Image
The Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council has strongly condemned the recent induction of Prince Asharku-Bruce Quaye, also known as Oblempong Wetse Kojo II, as the Ngleshie Alata Mantse. Speaking on behalf of the council, Nii Ofei III, Divisional Chief of Kokrobitey, alleged that the induction was carried out unlawfully by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs without the knowledge or involvement of the traditional council. According to Nii Ofei III, the process of installing a chief follows clear constitutional and customary guidelines, which were blatantly disregarded in this case. He accused the registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and its president, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, of collaborating to impose Prince Asharku-Bruce Quaye on the traditional council. “This induction was conducted in secrecy. We only became aware of it after a letter circulated about a meeting between the Greater Accra Regional Minister and the Regional House of Chief...
Read more

Royal Jamong Family Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Interference in Bunkpurugu Chieftaincy Dispute

Image
The Royal Jamong Family of Bunkpurugu has expressed deep concern over what it describes as political interference by Vice President Dr. Mahamud Bawumia and the NPP parliamentary candidate for Bunkpurugu, Mr. Solomon N. Boar, in the ongoing chieftaincy dispute surrounding the Bunkpurugu skin. In a strongly-worded statement, the family accused the two politicians of exerting undue pressure on the National House of Chiefs, a move that they believe undermines the integrity of the chieftaincy institution. The family pointed to recent comments made by Abuba, who claimed that his uncle, Vice President Bawumia, had promised to ensure that a pending judgment in the chieftaincy case would be delayed indefinitely. This, the Royal Jamong Family warned, is a "sad development and a recipe for disaster." The family has also documented Mr. Boar's activities, including a recent trip to Accra with Abuba to meet the Vice President. This has led the family to question the motivations behind ...
Read more

Electrochem’s Ada Salt Deal in Jeopardy

Image
The 15-year mining lease agreements for Electrochem Ghana Limited, a private salt mining company to mine salt on the Ada Songhor Lagoon appears to be in jeopardy with the withdrawal of consent to the agreement by the allodia owners of the lagoon.  The latest blow to Electrochem which is owned by Daniel McKorley, Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group of Companies is the withdrawal of consent by Nene Korley IV who is the Divisional Chief and Clan-head of the Tekperbiawe Clan of the Ada Traditional Area.  In a letter written to Mr. McKorley through his lawyers A-F Amissah & Wood Solicitors and Barristers Consultants dated 11th February 2025 and titled, “Letter of Withdrawal of Consent to Electrochem’s Dealing With the Songor Lagoon”, Nene Korley IV cited thuggery, insecurity in Ada, violation of rights of the indigenes and locals among others as the reasons for his withdrawal of consent to the company’s dealings with the Songor lagoon. The letter which was copied NENE AB...
Read more