Ghana’s health authorities are planning stricter enforcement against unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners amid concerns about quackery, unsafe products and misleading health claims.
Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, CEO of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council and a board member of the Food and Drugs Authority, said unregulated practices pose risks to public health and will be targeted through inspections and crackdowns.
“Practicing without a license is a criminal offense,” Dr Yusuf said. “You could be jailed for up to two years.”
He said the council, working with law enforcement, will shut down facilities, confiscate products and prosecute offenders, particularly those making unverified claims about their medicines.
Health authorities have raised concerns about herbal products advertised as curing multiple conditions, including sexual performance issues. Yusuf warned that such claims are not permitted under regulatory standards.
“You are only allowed to make one claim based on evidence submitted,” he said, adding that the Food and Drugs Authority ensures products are safe but does not approve multiple unproven therapeutic claims.
The council also plans to introduce hotlines and expand inspections to identify malpractice, including adulteration of herbal medicines with conventional drugs, a practice Yusuf described as criminal.
He acknowledged that while some traditional remedies may have multiple biological effects, practitioners must not promote them without scientific validation and regulatory approval.
Dr Yusuf said enforcement efforts will be paired with education and training to help legitimate practitioners improve standards and comply with regulations.
“We want to sanitize the space, protect the public and support genuine practitioners,” he said.
The council’s renewed push comes as authorities seek to restore public confidence in traditional medicine while aligning the sector with national healthcare standards.
