Ghana's Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has initiated a national database for shrines and religious sites. This move aims to improve regulation, planning, and recognition of traditional and faith-based institutions across the country.
The Ministry is urging traditional authorities and practitioners to cooperate with this exercise. Accurate documentation of Ghana’s spiritual and cultural heritage is the primary goal. This initiative also seeks to formalize the traditional healing sector, protecting public health and integrating traditional medicine into the national healthcare system.
This development fits into Ghana's broader efforts to formalize various sectors and enhance regulatory oversight. Similar initiatives have seen government agencies build databases for commercial transport operations and asset management. The push for formalization often aims to improve data collection, revenue generation, and service delivery. This particular exercise also highlights the government's recognition of traditional practices' cultural and economic potential.
Chief Registrar at the Ministry, Baafi Nsiah, emphasized the need for cooperation. He stated the database would help identify sites with historical and cultural significance for tourism development. Dr. Yakubu T. Yusuf, Registrar and CEO of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, confirmed the registration and licensing exercise is part of broader government efforts. He warned that practicing without a valid license is an offense under the Traditional Medicine Practice Act.
The database will provide crucial data for policy-making and resource allocation within the religious and traditional sectors. Decision-makers will use this information to develop targeted programs for cultural preservation and tourism promotion. Markets may see new opportunities in cultural tourism as identified sites are developed. The formalization of traditional healing could also lead to new regulatory frameworks and standards, impacting practitioners and public health outcomes. The Ministry will work with traditional authorities and tourism stakeholders to conserve selected sites.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs launched this program in the Ashanti Region. It included a mass registration, licensing, and sensitisation event for practitioners. The Trado-Afrikan Faith Healers Association collaborated on this event. Hundreds of practitioners attended the programme at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture. Participants welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a step towards greater recognition and legitimacy. They noted that many practitioners have historically operated outside formal structures. The theme for the event was “Building a Recognised and Regulated Traditional Healing Sector in Ghana.”
Dr. Yusuf highlighted the importance of the registration process. He stated it protects public health by eliminating unqualified practitioners. Offenders practicing without a license face a fine of up to 500 penalty units or a prison term of up to two years, or both. He urged traditional and faith-based healers to register their practices. This ensures they operate legally and safely within the national framework. The Ministry aims to support legitimate practitioners and ensure public safety.