For many residents of Wassa Agona and nearby communities in the Western North Region, ailments like headaches, ringworm, and scabies were traditionally treated using the leaves of the Aubregrinia taiensis plant, known locally as Duatadwe Kese.
However, this practice is gradually disappearing, as people increasingly turn to expensive orthodox treatments like creams and antibiotics, often from uncertain sources. The once-common Duatadwe Kese and other important medicinal plants are now rare, according to herbal practitioners like Nana Kojo Amankwa, who used these herbs to treat such conditions.
“Our rich vegetation, where we gather leaves and shrubs, is being destroyed every day by illegal mining. This threatens not only us but future generations,” says 68-year-old Amankwa.
For instance, to treat ringworm, Amankwa would harvest Duatadwe Kese leaves, mix them with a secret ingredient, and apply the blend to the affected area twice daily after bathing. This method healed the condition within days, he explained to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during an interview.
The tree not only benefits humans but is also vital for wildlife, as its seeds serve as a delicacy for elephants and other herbivores, helping to disperse the seeds of this critically endangered species.
Locals in Wassa Agona are frustrated as they now have to purchase orthodox medicines. Naomi Achia, a mother of five, laments the high costs, noting that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover many of these medications. “We never had to pay our herbalist for medicine. Now, a significant portion of our income is spent on ointments and painkillers to keep our children healthy, which is straining my finances,” she says.
This issue extends beyond Wassa Agona. Experts emphasize that medicinal plants are essential across Ghana, and over half of Ghanaians rely on traditional herbal medicine. However, access to these plants is diminishing due to illegal mining, endangering the livelihoods of over 40,000 traditional herbal practitioners like Nana Amankwa.
Nana Kwadwo Obiri, General Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), expresses his frustration: “Why are people committing such crimes against nature, enriching themselves at the expense of our existence, while institutions remain passive?”
Obiri explains that key medicinal plants like Polina pinata, Astonia boonei, and Nyame Dua, which are crucial for treating fractures, stroke, lung diseases, and malaria, are now scarce due to illegal mining in regions like Western, Eastern, and Ashanti.
Biodiversity experts confirm that Ghana is rapidly losing critical herbal species to illegal mining, some of which are not yet even fully studied. Dr. James Oppong Amponsah, a research scientist at the CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, stresses the importance of preserving these plants for future medical advancements.
“Every plant and animal in the ecosystem holds intrinsic and potential value, even if we’re not yet aware of it. It’s essential we protect them for future generations,” he says, warning that 40 tree species in Ghana are already classified as threatened.
In response to the devastation, the government has initiated measures like “Operation Halt” to remove mining equipment, and a community mining scheme to encourage responsible small-scale mining. However, these efforts have had limited success, with seven out of 16 regions heavily impacted by illegal mining, according to the Ghana Forestry Commission.
Dr. Amponsah is particularly concerned about Duatadwe Kese, which is now critically endangered and found only in a few forest reserves in Ghana. Researchers from CSIR-FORIG have started conservation efforts, raising 600 seedlings and reintroducing some into Ivory Coast, with the support of the Botanical Garden Conservation International.
However, for many herbs, time is running out. Environmental organizations and herbal practitioners commend these efforts but call for larger-scale initiatives to protect Ghana’s biodiversity.
Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, a leading botanist, criticizes the government for failing to eliminate illegal mining, a violation of both local and international conservation commitments. He and many others, including trade unions and religious groups, are calling for a ban on all forms of surface mining to safeguard biodiversity.
Ghana faces a critical decision: whether to prioritize a healthy, thriving environment or continue sacrificing it for short-term gains from illegal mining.
