Traditional herbal medicine in ghana history and current state. An exploratory ethnobotanical study of the practice of herbal. Over the past 30 years ghana has made significant progress in enhancing the standing of traditional medicine as a viable. Stephen awuni, research scientist, science and technology research institute, council of scientific and industrial research csir, accra, ghana. The fabrication of metallic tools and implements, textile production, traditional medicine or food processing, involved the application of various techniques. This medicine is traditional because it is deeply rooted in a specific sociocultural context, which varies from one community to another. When adopted ou tside its trad itiona l culture, traditional medicine is often considered a form of alternative medicine. In 1957, when the leaders of the former british colony of the gold coast sought an appropriate name for their newly independent statethe first black african nation to gain its independence from colonial rulethey named their new country after ancient ghana.
Categories of challenges confronting tmcam list of figures. Traditional medicine has a long history in ghana and, indeed, the world. Jun 16, 2008 being born in either canada or ghana does not have any significant effect on the attitudes and opinions of ghanaians toward trm. Traditional medicines products are a part of the larger field of traditional medicine which includes procedures and practitioners, as well as products 1. The training systems of africans such as the traditional schools did exist, but most. The use of traditional medicine by ghanaians in canada. Do you know of traditional surgical procedures in west africa, apart from bone setting. Discourses on the future of traditional medicine in africa and other indigenous. Characteristics of traditional medicine in ethiopia ethiopia has a long history of traditional medicine and has developed ways to combat disease through it 11. The practice of traditional medicine varies widely, in keeping with the societal and cultural heritage of. This was a key theme in the early history of ghanas independence. Until the late 1800searly 1900s europeans used african medicine to treat certain tropical illnesses. The ministry of health says it will set up a special institute for scientific research into the esoteric aspect of traditional and complementary medicines. The dynamics of innovation in traditional medicine in ghana.
Prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in africa in both rural and urban communities. Natural products and traditional medicines are of great importance. Traditional medicine by marian ewurama addy the traditional health care system in ghana is a holistic one that integrates our social ethics, religious morals and cultural values. In fact, traditional practitioners outnumber modern doctors 30 to 1. Traditional medicines and traditional healers in south africa. The ways are also as diverse as the different cultures. Integration in ghana john kwaku opoku, peter addai. A historical overview of traditional medicine practices. Nov 05, 2010 for some, herbal medicine is their preferred method of treatment. Medicine and health care ghana has a modern medical system funded and administered by the government with some participation by church groups, international agencies, and ngos. Oct 14, 2019 the three colors of the flag red, green, and black and the black star in the middle are all symbolic of the panafricanist movement. This was a key theme in the early history of ghana s independence. On traditional medicine in contemporary ghana 1073 the contrary, the very existence of jealous neigh bours and malevolent spirits literally hovering round our physical domain, ready to take advan tage of any signs of slackness or human failings on our part, imposes a special responsibility on us as individuals and communities to be constantly.
The contribution of traditional herbal medicine practitioners. African traditional medicine is the oldest, and perhaps the most assorted, of all therapeutic systems. These forms of medicine have existed alongside each other for quite a while. Traditional herbal medicine in ghana history and current. When adopted outside its traditional culture, traditional medicine is often considered a form of alternative medicine.
It is usually practised by traditional or spiritual healers. Ghana is a subsaharan country that is located in west africa which has been relying on herbal medicine for curing and healing different diseases for several decades. Much was expected and hoped for from ghana at independence but like all new countries during the cold war, ghana faced immense challenges. The rich history of use of herbal medicines and innovative utilization of plants as sources of medicines in ghana, and broadly within africa, has. The formation of the ghana psychic and traditional healers association in 1961 and the establishment of the centre for scientific research into plant medicine in 1975 attest to this fact. A historical overview of traditional medicine practices and. Trends and challenges of traditional medicine in africa. Request pdf use of traditional healers and modern medicine in ghana purpose. Herbal medicine in ghana and most african countries is a very popular method of health care darko, 2009. Despite the existence and continued use of traditional medical services and products over many centuries, the history of regulated use of traditional medicine is comparatively short.
Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in. Traditional medicine and medical practitioners remain. The african continent experienced its own form of training and learning before it was colonized and even before the arrival of the missionaries. Oral history and other sources suggest that the ancestors of some of ghanas residents. Traditional medicine who regional office for africa. Ethiopia has a long history of traditional medicine and has developed ways to combat disease through it 11. In countries like ghana, mali, zambia and nigeria, the first line of treatment for 60% of children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicine who, 2002b. It is the last of these examples that this article will examine.
To gain understanding of the use of traditional and modern medicine among the people in ghana, west africa. Africa is considered to be the cradle of mankind with a rich biological and cultural diversity marked by regional differences in healing practices 2, 6. Traditional medicine policy ghana official website. However, in many developing societies, traditional medicine of which herbal medicine is a core part is. Legal status of traditional medicine and complementary. Herbal medicine in ghana, as in most african countries, is a very popular health care system. Here is some general information about you new host country the flag the coat of arms the national anthem maps data on ghana introduction geography climate people education history ghanas presidents government and political conditions economy foreign relations links the flag of ghana. Ghana north of the forest zone was inhabited as early as 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. The systems for legal control and management of traditional medicine in ghana are still weak. History of ghana gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979, elmina castle, ghana empire, ashanti empire, angloashanti. Apr 09, 2019 therefore, many still rely on traditional medicine even today. Exploring the safety and clinical use of herbal medicine. Many plants are used for their therapeutic values and this has a twofold.
Kwame nkrumah assisted the great okomfohemaa nana akua oparebeah of larteh to start an umbrella organization for the traditional healers in ghana known as ghana psychic and traditional healing association. For others, herbs are used as adjunct therapy to conventional pharmaceuticals. Bmc complementary and alternative medicine volume 8. Oral history and other sources suggest that the ancestors of some of ghana s residents. The use of traditional medicine in maternity care among.
For some, herbal medicine is their preferred method of treatment. More than onehalf of the population is christian, about onefifth is muslim, and a small segment adheres to the traditional indigenous religions. Unlike its western counterpart, traditional african medicine is said to take a holistic approach, which is based on the premise of interconnectedness, and often includes indigenous herbalism in its treatment. Use of traditional healers and modern medicine in ghana request. The use of traditional medicine by ghanaians in canada bmc. Ghana gikuyu kikuyu people of kenya globalization gordimer, nadine great lakes states of eastern africa, the guinea guineabissau hausa hausa language and literature health, medicine, and the study of africa historiography and methods of african history. They prefer traditional healers who can also take care of their spiritual needs, as noted by previous researchers 27, 35, 36.
The influence and use of traditional medicine in ghana is so strong that the first president, dr. However, the arrival of the europeans marked a significant turning point in the history of this agelong tradition and culture. However, in many developing societies, traditional medicine of which herbal medicine is a core part is the only system of health care available or affordable. This knowledge is typically in the hands of spiritual healers, but the vast majority of families across the country have some knowledge of traditional medicine. Unani is an ancient greek holistic medical system with a history that can be traced back 2500 years 33. In some asian and african countries, up to 80% of the population reli es on traditional me dicine for their pr imary healt h care needs. As a result of this, the institution subjected itself to manipulation by the ruling party, which was the nationalist party government. Use of traditional healers and modern medicine in ghana. Though they are based, in general, on belief in the existence of a supreme being, a number of lesser deities associated with. Yet, so many stereotypes exist for the traditional healers and their medicines that are collectively called muti. African traditional medicine in its varied forms is. Indigenous religions, while widespread and deeprooted, lack a systematic body of doctrines.
Relevant history, including health sector reforms and reforms in drug policy. Traditional chinese medicine is still in common use in china. Culture of ghana history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family geit. Pdf a historical overview of traditional medicine practices. Herbal knowledge in ghana is typically believed to be supernatural in origin and is often. Ghana succumbed to attacks by its neighbors in the 11th century, but its name and reputation endured. Traditional medicine and traditional healers form part of a broader field of study classified by medical anthropologists as ethnomedicine. This article will primarily focus on the history of traditional medicinal practices in south africa and its rise in modernday times as a form of complementary alternative medicine cam. Background the who estimates that a considerable number of people in subsaharan africa ssa rely on traditional, complementary and alternative medicine tcam to meet their primary healthcare needs, yet there remains a dearth of research evidence on the overall picture of tcam utilisation in the region. In fact it is estimated that 80% of the population uses traditional medicines.
Integration in ghana john kwaku opoku, peter addaimensah and. We can therefore talk of chinese traditional medicine, arabic traditional medicine or african traditional medicine. There are a number of associations of traditional medicine practitioners, including the ghana psychic and traditional medicine practitioners association, which was formed in 1961 26. Use of traditional herbal medicines in developed countries 2. In some asian and african countries, up to 80% of the population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine in. Traditional authorities managed to enter into alliances with a number of political authorities during the apartheid period. Traditional medicine is often termed alternative or complementary. We believe that the health of an individual has a link with the metaphysical and supernatural world.
Documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment and. The traditional medicine and modern medicine from natural. Jul 03, 2011 prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in africa in both rural and urban communities. Sep 30, 2015 the ministry of health says it will set up a special institute for scientific research into the esoteric aspect of traditional and complementary medicines. There is a paucity of literature describing traditional health practices and beliefs of african women. Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills and practises based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. In 1992, the traditional and alternative medicine directorate was established with the ministry of health managed by a deputy director to strengthen and offer the required direction to the improvement and promotion of ancient medicine in ghana with special emphasis on herbal treatment. Ghanas fight to preserve traditional medicine work the world. Traditional african medicine tam is characterized by a belief in the supernatural as a cause of illness, divination as a diagnostic tool, and the ritualized use of a wide variety of plantand. Culture of ghana history, people, clothing, traditions. Pdf documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment.
A historical overview of traditional medicine practices and policy in ethiopia article pdf available in ethiopian journal of health development 202. In ghana, mali, nigeria and zambia, the first line of treatment for 60% of children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicines at home. Herbal medicines in african traditional medicine intechopen. Traditional african medicine and its role in healing in a. Traditional medicine features in the lives of thousands of people in south africa every day. Traditional medicine is contrasted with scientific medicine. Oral literature encompasses fables, folktales, legends myths and proverbs. Right now, i have some of them in my cupboard and this shows that despite the. From traditional training to formal education dama mosweunyane1. What are the roles of spirituality in the traditional healing process in ghana. Today, south africa is home to more than 200,000 traditional healers who care for more than 27 million people. Health, medicine, and the study of africa african studies. Ghanas fight to preserve traditional medicine work the. An exploratory ethnobotanical study of the practice of.
This is because there are many herbal medicine producers in ghana. Up until the 20th century western medicine was not much better than a placebo and often medical procedures did more harm than good. Ghana is located in west africa along the coast of the gulf of guinea and borders cote d. Traditional and modern medicine, integration, health care, survey introduction in ghana, the two main medical systems which have operated distinctively along each other are modern scientific medicine msm and traditional medicine tm1. Every region has had, at one time in its history, a form of traditional medicine. There is no legal or administrative instrument to control complementary medicine practice in this country. Based on the participant observation combined with indepth interview method, a longitudinal study was designed to determine the longer term trends in the reproduction of the knowledge and practice of traditional medicine in contemporary ghana. Traditional medicine providers alternative medicine faith healers other sectors education food and agriculture works and housing local government and rural development environment, science, and technology ministry of health 16 overview of the health system in ghana. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine in africa.
This knowledge is typically in the hands of spiritual healers, but the vast majority of families have some. This knowledge is typically in the hands of spiritual healers, but the vast majority of families have some knowledge of traditional medicine, which is often inherited and passed down through the generations via folklore. An understanding of ghanaian customs and beliefs was a necessary element in attempting an appropriate exploration of traditional ghanaian healing. One major difference between conventional, western medicine and traditional african medicine, is the way of viewing illnesses and their treatments. The history of herbal medicine in africa predates the ancient mesopotamia and egyptian. Traditional medici ne is contrasted with scienti fic medic ine. Board, the nurses and midwives council, the medical and dental council, the traditional medicine board, the funeral homes board, and the private and maternity homes board. Lack of adequate financial support through out the system limits rapid progress in developing traditional medicine. Traditional medicine practitioners use herbs, spiritual beliefs, and local wisdom in providing health care.
1494 721 410 67 216 298 691 562 495 1246 1662 595 1647 680 894 266 435 611 1467 664 202 1128 83 482 112 721 1300 1351 818 640 11