A renowned Ghanaian Naturopathic Professor, and President, of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT), Ghana, Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, has granted scholarship opportunities to 10 Gambian Traditional healers who are members of the National Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS). The scholarship package worth 10,000 dollars will help the practitioners to pursue their academic program in Naturopathic Medicine at his established naturopathic medical school in Ghana. The program has commenced using a virtual platform and the final phase is to be done in Ghana.
Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a famous Naturopathic doctor, Professor, researcher, policy maker, science, and medical writer is currently a Barrister at Law Candidate at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, pursuing his Bar training course. Since, his arrival in the Gambia, the renowned Naturopathic Professor, has been engaging the Traditional healers to help them in the Gambia improve their services.
Speaking to the Voice Newspaper, Prof. Nyarkotey Obu believes that, the award of the scholarship is one of the many opportunities he intends to help the Gambian traditional healers. He also plans to provide scholarships to young ones interested in pursuing Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree programs in Naturopathic Medicine in Ghana.
The Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology is Ghana’s first Naturopathic and Holistic Medicine College, registered under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Ghana, and recognized by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Ministry of Health, Ghana. The college is also an educational Member of the World Naturopathic Federation, (WNF), Canada. The College’s Naturopathic programs meet the WNF and World Health Organization (WHO), benchmarked for Naturopathic Medical Education.
The College is currently the only institution in Africa to develop the first-ever National Occupational Standard in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine at the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelors level under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).
Prof. Nyarkotey believes that medicine is not a competition and there is a need for effective collaboration between mainstream, traditional and complementary healers in the healthcare sector.
Prof. Nyarkotey explained that sound education is important in training natural medicine practitioners to weed off quacks from the system. This he believes will give the public the needed confidence in the profession of Naturopathic Medicine in the Gambia and on the African Continent.
The Professor also emphasized that there are more scholarship opportunities available for Gambians who are interested in studying Natural Medicine at the Diploma and bachelor’s degree level. For more enquiries call 204 7298 or send an email to collegeofholisticmedicine@gmail.com.
