Ghana TMPC Unlicensed Herbal Practitioners: Council Reveals 85% Unregistered

• Less than 15% of Ghana's over 100,000 traditional medicine practitioners are officially registered with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC).
• Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, TMPC Registrar, confirmed the Council has inspected over 500 premises, closing some for public health risks, and tracked over 500 social media practitioners operating unregulated.
• Licensed practitioners must display a QR-coded license, and the public is advised to only patronize licensed individuals and products.
• Products that are stored, labelled, or branded require certification and registration from the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
• Unlicensed practice carries penalties of up to 500 penalty units (GH¢6,000), two years’ imprisonment, or both, with an arrest already made in the Volta Region.

Practicing traditional medicine without proper authorization carries significant Ghana herbal medicine regulation penalties, including the risk of prosecution and imprisonment.

Ghana's Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has revealed a significant regulatory challenge within the nation's traditional and herbal medicine sector, with fewer than 15 percent of an estimated 100,000 practitioners currently registered in its official database. This substantial registration gap severely impedes the Council's ability to provide adequate regulatory oversight, raising concerns about public health and safety across the country. The sheer volume of unregistered practitioners highlights a critical need for enhanced healthcare compliance Ghana.

Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, the Registrar of the TMPC, disclosed these figures during a media briefing held in Accra to commemorate the 2026 African Traditional Medicine Day. He emphasized the Council's proactive efforts over the past six months, which include engaging practitioner associations at the district level to encourage registration and establishing new regional and district offices to improve accessibility for practitioners seeking to formalize their operations. These initiatives aim to bring more Ghana TMPC unlicensed herbal practitioners under the regulatory umbrella.

Further demonstrating its commitment to enforcement, the TMPC has undertaken extensive inspections, examining over 500 traditional medicine practice premises nationwide. These inspections led to the closure of several facilities deemed to pose risks to public health. Additionally, the Council has identified and tracked more than 500 practitioners who are marketing unregistered medicines through unregulated channels, particularly on social media platforms, signaling impending action against these individuals.

The Traditional Medicine Practice Council Ghana enforcement strategy is multifaceted, focusing not only on registration but also on product certification and public awareness. Dr. Yusuf urged the public to exercise caution, advising them to patronize only licensed traditional medicine practitioners and products that have successfully navigated the required regulatory processes. He clarified that every licensed practice premise is legally mandated to prominently display its license, which includes a scannable QR code for immediate verification of the practitioner's status. Members of the public are encouraged to demand to see this license before receiving any treatment.

Collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is a cornerstone of the TMPC's regulatory efforts, particularly concerning product standards. While licensed practitioners are permitted to prepare fresh, unlabelled, and unbranded herbal preparations directly for their patients, any products that are stored, labelled, or branded must undergo rigorous certification and registration processes with the Ghana FDA herbal product certification body. This distinction is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines available to the public.

Beyond immediate enforcement, the TMPC is also investing in long-term improvements for the sector. The Council is actively working to enhance the training of indigenous practitioners, aiming to elevate overall standards. As part of this initiative, the Governing Board is currently reviewing a six-month curriculum designed to further professionalize traditional medicine practice in Ghana.

The TMPC Registrar issued a stern warning regarding the severe legal consequences awaiting those who operate without the requisite licenses. Practicing traditional medicine without proper authorization carries significant Ghana herbal medicine regulation penalties, including the risk of prosecution and imprisonment. The law stipulates that individuals found guilty of practicing without a license can face a summary conviction resulting in a fine of up to 500 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢6,000, or a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.

This commitment to enforcing the law is already evident, as a traditional medicine practitioner in the Volta Region has been arrested and is expected to appear in court for allegedly practicing without a license. This case serves as a clear example of the TMPC's resolve to crack down on unregistered traditional medicine practitioners Ghana. Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusuf TMPC emphasized that licenses are not issued indefinitely; they require annual renewal, which is contingent upon continuous professional development (CPD), payment of prescribed fees, and re-inspection of the practitioner's premises to ensure ongoing compliance and safety standards.

Lawyers advising clients in Ghana's traditional and herbal medicine sector must immediately review their clients' registration status with the TMPC and FDA, as the Council is actively prosecuting unlicensed practitioners and enforcing stringent regulatory compliance, including premises inspection and product certification. Failure to comply carries risks of imprisonment and significant fines.

Source: Original reporting via Graphic.com