Prof. Regina Appiah-Oppong, FGA
Prof. Regina Appiah-Oppong, FGA, has warned that uncontrolled deforestation and illegal mining threaten Ghana’s potential to generate billions of dollars from medicinal plants for national development. In her inaugural lecture titled “Medicinal Plants: A Rich Natural Resource of Ghana to Be Harnessed for National Development” on October 31, 2024, she described the medicinal plant sector as a gold mine that could provide significant revenue if the right investment and policy directions are applied.
She noted that plant medicine is a major global source of income and employment, contributing to GDPs in countries like China, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Britain, and the US. She cited Morocco and Egypt, which earned USD 55.9 million and USD 174.2 million, respectively, from medicinal plant exports in 2015. In Malawi and Tanzania, the herbal medicine trade is critical in household incomes, with significant informal market sales. Prof. Ato Duncan, president of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (GHAFTRAM), has also highlighted the potential of Ghana’s herbal medicine sector, suggesting it could generate USD 76 million with concerted effort.
Prof. Appiah-Oppong emphasized that Ghana’s herbal medicine industry is a key contributor to the economy, involving many people across its value chain. In 2010, approximately 951 tonnes of herbal medicines, valued at USD 7.8 million, were traded. While current revenue data is unavailable, the industry’s potential for growth is evident. She urged policymakers to prioritize medicinal plants and expand their reach to global markets.
In her lecture, Prof. Appiah-Oppong presented scientific evidence supporting the therapeutic properties of Ghanaian medicinal plants, highlighting their role in treating malaria, cancer, asthma, and Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), known as sleeping sickness. She stressed that achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) will require substantial investment in large-scale medicinal plant plantations, which could create numerous job opportunities while promoting sustainable development.
Emerita Prof. Akyinba Quakyi, FGA, Vice President of the Sciences Section of GAAS, who chaired the event, underscored the importance of addressing illegal mining and biodiversity loss for the industry’s success. She commended Prof. Appiah-Oppong for her research, which she described as vital for sustainable resource management.
The lecture attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from the Ghana Standards Authority, Noguchi Memorial Institute, and the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, as well as students from Accra Academy and Accra Girls Senior High Schools. Prof. George Obeng Adjei, FGA, Assistant Honorary Secretary of the Sciences Section, GAAS, moderated the event.
Prof. Appiah-Oppong’s research calls for a renewed focus on Ghana’s medicinal plants, which hold immense potential for both economic growth and national development. In addressing challenges such as funding, standardization, and scientific validation, she stresses the importance of collaboration between scientists and practitioners, greater investment in research, and stronger policy support to unlock the sector’s full potential.
