Mr. Kwabena Ohemeng Tinyase (right) administering the oath of office to the national executives.
The practice of alternative medicine in the country has received a boost with the launch of a new association which aims at bringing all practitioners of the various forms of alternative medicine together under one umbrella.
The group, Alternative Medical Association Ghana, (AMAG) which was inaugurated over the weekend will also work to provide acceptable operating standards of practice for members as well as internally monitor and regulate the operations of its members.
Lawyer Yaw Buaben Asamoa, officially launching the Association, congratulated the minds behind the formation of such a group.
He said the country was privileged to have other forms of medical practices like homeopathy and herbal medicine. He nonetheless urged the first executives of the Association to fight for the credibility of the group through ensuring that members uphold the best standards in their practice.
“You must be objective and ruthless in upholding best practices in order to sustain the activities of this Association,” he said.
Anne Sylvia Afi Vuvor, head of the secretariat of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), the body which regulates and promotes the practice of alternative medicine in Ghana, congratulated the Association for the aim which would augment the efforts of the TMPC.
She said the Council has been very strict in implementing the dictates of Act 575 and other guidelines in the practice of alternative medicine in order to ensure the safety of the public who patronise traditional and alternative medicine.
“We, despite criticisms from some corners, are clear in our minds that the incessant insistence on best practices would better change the face of traditional and alternative medicine practice in Ghana,” she said.
Ms. Vuvor therefore called for the Association to sustain and enhance the public confidence in the profession and its services by joining forces with TMPC to enhance proper regulation and promotion of the industry.
Inauguration
The launch of the Association coincided with the inauguration of the seven member national executives who have been tasked with the running of the Association’s activities.
Kwabena Ohemeng Tinyase, chairperson of the event led the executives including Dr. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, President, Dr. George Essiamah, Vice President, Dr. Kojo Asamoa, General Secretary, Mrs. Esther Elorm Richmanrobert Aghayedo, Treasurer, Dr. Samuel Atta Kontoh, Finance Secretary, Dr. Kwaku Boateng, Organiser and Dr. Eudorah Baht Ammi Kudiabor, Public Relations Officer, to take the oath of office.
President of the Association, Dr. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, speaking on behalf of the other national executives gave his word on championing holistic alternative medicine practice in the country by discharging their mandates effectively.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri