Tema, Oct. 5, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Appiah Dankyira, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health, has stated Government’s determination to support traditional herbal medicine practitioners to take the production of herbal medicine to a higher level.

He acknowledged that herbal medicine made immense contribution in curing people’s illnesses, and said Government’s intervention was crucial to sustain its application in the country.

Mr Dankyira made the call at the inauguration of the first Board of Directors for Aponche Memorial Herbal Clinic in Tema Community 5.

He challenged the Traditional Healers Association to come out with a comprehensive register of all traditional healers to streamline their operations.

The Human Resource Director affirmed that the introduction of a degree programme on herbal medicine at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was a clear demonstration of Government’s commitment to take that sector to a different dimension.

He expressed the conviction that effective collaboration by all stakeholders will bring about a major revolution in the herbal industry within the next five years.

Mr Dankyira, however, challenged members of the Association not to compromise on the efficacy of herbal medicine and urged them to ensure that their products are well packaged to stand the test of time and compete with foreign ones.

The nine-member Board which has a three-year tenure, has Mr Akwasi Afriyie-Badu, a private legal practitioner, as Interim Chairman.

The Board members have been tasked to bring their experience and expertise to bear for effective management and expand their operations into other special areas of excellence in herbal medicine at the facility.

The Managing Director of the Clinic, Mr Paul Entsie Nyankom recalled that the facility which was established in the 1970s at Aboadze in the Western Region, specialised in the treatment of bone fractures, dislocations, and injuries of any kind and degree, using herbs in their natural forms.

A traditional ruler and Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Torgbui Yaka said globalization had brought competitive market shares and urged members to put in place structures to ensure fair competition in service delivery.

Mr Afriyie-Badu on behalf of the new Board, expressed appreciation to the management of the clinic for the confidence reposed in them, and pledged their commitment to live up to expectation.