Brief profile of Department

The Herbal Medicine programme began in 2001 as a Unit in the Department of Pharmacognosy but became a Department in 2005.  The programme offers both theoretical and practical teaching and learning opportunities.  The theoretical aspect is founded in the basic pharmaceutical and medical sciences, and it is reinforced with laboratory-based exercises. Clinical training with Phytotherapy is offered in the third and fourth years to facilitate skills development in the management of patients. This training takes place in the KNUST Hospital under medical practitioners. Students also do attachments at orthodox hospitals as well as Herbal Medicine clinics in areas related to herbal medicine practice during the vacations.

Vision

The vision of the Department is to be internationally recognized as a premier centre of excellence in teaching, research, and entrepreneurial training in Complementary and Alternative Medicine / traditional medicine, especially herbal medicine in Ghana and Africa, producing high calibre traditional health professionals and scientists for the development and promotion of herbal products to support the sustainable development of the health sector and industry in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

Mission

We provide research and training in traditional medicine, especially herbal medicine, health care, as well as community services and consultancies.

Career prospects for graduates of the Department:

The graduate aiming to work professionally as a Medical Herbalist will be qualified to register with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), after internship and passing the professional qualifying examination (PQE). Opportunities exist for employment in Agencies under the Ministry of Health: Ghana Health Service (GHS), Traditional and Alternative Medicines Directorate (TAMD), Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), as well as other research institutes and quasi-government health facilities, Faith-based Organisations and NGOs in the health industry.

In addition, the graduates may be self-employed as General Practitioners (Medical Herbalists). Other private sector avenues may include the following:

• Herbal industry representative, consultant, formulator, manufacturer, or manager
• Production and processing specialist, Quality assurance specialist
• Practitioners in Alternative/ Natural medicine/Phytotherapy Health/Wellness/Supplements/Cosmetics industry
• Practitioners of Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Physician Assistantship after training 
• Graduate studentship in the Health Sciences, Botany, Horticulture, etc.
• Herb cultivator or Collector
• Lecturer/ Researcher at herbal/traditional medicine schools

Head of Department: Prof. Isaac Kingsley Amponsah