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The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Africa Trade House in Accra, launching its 50th anniversary celebration. The event was attended by dignitaries from various spheres of life, including government officials, traditional leaders, and media personalities.

The launch, themed “Health and Wealth Power of Plants: Five Decades of Innovation in Plant Medicine Research and Development,” aimed to harness the healing power and wealth of plants through research, development, and collaboration. The celebration seeks to promote plant medicine research and products in Ghana, highlighting the country’s rich botanical heritage and its potential to drive economic growth and improve healthcare outcomes.

The event drew leaders from Ghana’s plant medicine community, government agencies, and corporate partners, including the Ministry for Health, Food and Drugs Authority, and Traditional Medicine Practice Council.

• Research and Achievements: The Centre has developed over 30 herbal medicines for diseases such as malaria, diabetes, typhoid, and hypertension, which are being used in district, municipal, and metropolitan hospitals across the country.
• Call for Collaboration: Stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry players to advance plant medicine research and development.
• Economic Potential: The herbal medicine industry is projected to reach $437 billion by 2032, with Africa’s plant medicine industry poised to compete globally.
• Board Chairman’s Call to Action: Henry Rockefeller, Board Chairman of CPMR, urged stakeholders to safeguard, promote, and integrate traditional medicine into Ghana’s primary healthcare system.
• Minister for Health’s remarks presented by Dr. Anesthesia Yirenkyi: The Minister for Health commended the Centre for its work in herbal medicine research and development, highlighting the Centre’s contributions to national healthcare.
• Guest Speaker’s Insights: Dr. Alfred A. Appiah called for more attention to herbal medicine and its integration into the country’s national health system, citing its economic potential.

The 50th anniversary celebration is a testament to CPMR’s commitment to advancing plant medicine research and development in Ghana. The event marked a significant step towards promoting collaboration, innovation, and investment in the herbal medicine industry.