Professor at the Department Clinical Pathology at the University of Ghana Prof. Regina Appiah-Opong has called for sustained investment in medicinal plant research, warning that limited funding continues to stall the integration of herbal medicine into Ghana’s primary healthcare system.
Delivering her inaugural lecture on Thursday, July 31,2025 on the theme “The Potential Role of Medicinal Plants in Ghana’s Healthcare System and Economy”, Prof. Appiah-Opong said Ghana’s rich plant biodiversity holds immense potential for both health and economic transformation—but only if properly funded.
“Researchers require funds from government and other stakeholders to support work on medicinal plants for significant economic impact,” she said.
She stressed that funding must go beyond one-time grants and instead reflect long-term national commitment to research and innovation in herbal medicine.
“Other streams of funding must be invested into medicinal plant research and industry consistently,” she added.
Her remarks align with growing calls from Ghana’s scientific and traditional medicine communities to prioritize herbal medicine as a credible path to improving healthcare access and spurring economic development.
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Story by Deborah Jackson| univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Michelle Lartey
Prof. Appiah-Opong calls for funding to boost medicinal plant research in Ghana
