Traditional Medicine Practitioners Demand Urgent TMPC Reforms




The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) is at the center of growing unrest as practitioners and industry stakeholders demand immediate government intervention to resolve leadership and operational challenges.


In an open letter dated February 11, 2025, addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a leading naturopathy expert, expressed deep frustration over the TMPC’s prolonged administrative crisis. The ongoing leadership vacuum, particularly regarding the appointment of a Registrar, has crippled the Council’s effectiveness, leading to widespread discontent among traditional medicine practitioners.


According to Prof. Nyarkotey Obu, the regulatory body has become dysfunctional, with many practitioners losing confidence in its legitimacy. The crisis has escalated to a critical level, with reports reaching National Security on February 10, 2025, following a complaint from an unidentified individual against key stakeholders in the sector.


The letter highlights the vital role of herbal, traditional, and alternative medicine in Ghana’s healthcare system and urges the government to take swift action to prevent further deterioration. Prof. Nyarkotey Obu reminded the President of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto promises, which include:


Encouraging universities to establish herbal medicine research departments.


Mainstreaming traditional medicine into district hospitals.


Strengthening regulatory frameworks for herbal medicine.


Promoting investment in modern scientific research.



The unresolved issues at TMPC, however, threaten to derail these objectives. The letter calls for the immediate appointment of a qualified and competent Registrar, a restructuring of the Council’s operations, and the restoration of trust among practitioners through transparent engagements.


The crisis has reached a boiling point, with industry players warning that continued neglect could destabilize the sector and pose risks to public health. The ball is now in President Mahama’s court to address the concerns and restore order within the TMPC.

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