Dr Raphael Obu
The Alternative Medical Association of Ghana (AMAG), a newly-formed organisation aimed at maintaining the standards of alternative medicine practice in the country, has called for professionals in the practice to join AMAG.
Dr Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, national president of the association, justifying the call said there was the need for alternative medical practitioners to be under one umbrella in order to raise the standard of the practice.
He said Ghana is a nation of pluralist medicine, adding that with the increasing popularity of alternative medicine among citizens and a council regulating their activities, “there is the need for the practitioners to be under an association.”
According to Dr Obu who is also a prostate cancer researcher, membership of the association is not limited to only medical practitioners in the field of alternative medicine, but also medical students taking courses in alternative medicine and corporate institutions.
“Membership is also open to conventional or allopathic medical practitioners who also have education in any form of the alternative medical system of practices. Qualified members should possess diplomas, degrees, masters and PhDs in the field of alternative medicine,” he said
The AMAG national president said the joining the association affords its members opportunities like participating in international conferences organised by affiliate bodies to provide the members with opportunity to interact with fellow practitioners and therapists of international repute.
“The association also aims to provide a forum for the practitioners to exchange ideas and information, concepts and knowledge. Through membership of the association, practitioners can increase their awareness of the trends and happenings in the field of alternative medicines in Ghana and different parts of the world,” he said.
Dr Kojo Asamoah, a retired lecturer at the University of Cape Coast with a PhD in Biochemistry, is the general secretary and Dr Naa Asheley Ashietey, a trained doctor of chiropractic is appointed the public relations officer.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri