In a strategic move aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana, the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) and the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into the country’s healthcare framework.
The MoU, signed on Friday, April 11, 2025, at TMPC’s Head Office in Accra, marks a monumental step toward the unification of Chinese and African traditional healing practices.
The agreement was signed by Dr. (MH) Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, the head of TMPC, and Madam Sihong Jiang, President of HCOWA, alongside a high-level HCOWA delegation that included Chief Director David Tai, Vice President Prince Dogbey, and Secretary Believe Domor.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Madam Jiang emphasized the importance of this partnership in not only promoting the rich heritage of traditional healing but also ensuring its modernization through research and technology.
“This collaboration will not only celebrate the healing traditions of both continents but will also explore cutting-edge solutions to enhance healthcare delivery across the region,” she said.
In her remarks, Jiang also highlighted the future establishment of a research center focused on traditional medicine, where both Ghanaian and international experts will collaborate to advance the integration of TCM with local practices. The MoU also outlines plans for the 2025 China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo, which will focus on AI-powered diagnostics and further cooperative projects aimed at enhancing healthcare systems.
According to the agreement, HCOWA and TMPC will:
- Promote the structured integration of TCM into Ghana’s healthcare system.
- Collaborate on joint research to standardize practices and ensure quality control.
- Organize capacity-building programs, workshops, and seminars for healthcare practitioners.
- Introduce AI diagnostic tools and modern clinical technologies.
- Establish databases for practitioners while adhering to privacy and consent protocols.
- Engage in collaborative media campaigns to raise awareness of the partnership and upcoming events.
HCOWA is committed to facilitating exchanges between practitioners and academics, aligning regulatory practices, and ensuring TMPC’s participation in HCOWA’s flagship events, including the annual Medical and Health Industry Investment Summit & Expo.
TMPC will provide policy input, encourage participation in research and training, and help promote the development of Ghana’s traditional medicine sector through various media platforms and collaborative health forums.
Dr. Yusuf, during the signing, stressed the significance of global partnerships in strengthening Ghana’s traditional medicine sector.
“This partnership with HCOWA represents a key opportunity to not only preserve but modernize our traditional medicine practices and elevate them on the international stage,” he remarked.
The MoU between HCOWA and TMPC represents a strategic alliance that merges the strengths of both organizations, aiming to create a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable healthcare framework in Ghana and West Africa.
About the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)
The Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575), promulgated in 2000, set the legal foundation for the regulation and promotion of traditional medicine in Ghana. The TMPC was officially constituted in 2010 to oversee the education, development, and regulation of traditional and alternative medicine in the country.
The mission of TMPC is to control and regulate the practice of traditional and alternative medicine through policy formulation, training, and the enforcement of ethical standards. The Council’s functions include promoting the practice of traditional medicine, licensing practitioners, supporting the training of professionals, and advising government bodies on matters related to the sector.
The vision of TMPC is to be a globally recognized regulatory agency for traditional and alternative medicine practices, and its mission aligns with Ghana’s broader health and development goals.
