Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a renowned naturopathic Professor, and her colleague Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey, of the Department of Health Administration and Education, University of Education Winneba Ghana, have been awarded by ISSN International Research Awards 2023 (IIRA-2023), India, for their contributions towards Naturopathic research in Ghana and on the international front. The award was for their research paper titled “African naturopathic education: Ghana’s model using the competency-based curriculum” under the title, “International Best Researcher Award” in the field of Naturopathic Medicine.
In a mail sent by Sunantha Chandran, Event Convener, of the award read “ISSN Awards cordially welcomes you to receive your high society ISSN International Science & Technology Awards (IIRA-2023) in association with World Research Council in the fascinating ceremony on 5th March 2023, at Grandeur Hall, Breeze Residency, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. ISSN International Research Awards 2023 (IIRA-2023) is proud to choose you for the research “African naturopathic education: Ghana’s model using the competency-based curriculum” under the title, “INTERNATIONAL BEST RESEARCHER AWARD” in your field of study. (No further selection and no change in Venue.),” the mail stated.
About ISSN Awards
The ISSN Awards is one of the Biggest International Research Awards. The ISSN Awards is a private society of distinguished scholars, professionals, and researchers. The ISSN International Research Awards is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the world on matters related to science and technology. Nominees are elected by their peers for their outstanding research contributions. The ISSN awards are committed to furthering science, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community. ISSN also encourages education and research, recognizes outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increases public understanding in matters of science, engineering, medicine, and so on.
About the Research Paper
The research paper titled “African naturopathic education: Ghana’s model using the competency-based curriculum” was published in the Journal of Preventive and Holistic Health, the official Publication of Innovative Education and Scientific Research Foundation, India, highlights the development and approval of two Naturopathic programs; The Higher National Diploma (HND) for training Naturopaths and Bachelor of Technology in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine, a 5-year program for Naturopathic Physicians, provides a critical evaluation of the curricula approved by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) in Ghana.
The authors employ a sequential two-stage qualitative process. In phase one, the two curricula were submitted to the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) Canada, for evaluation. Phase two involved a document analysis using the curriculum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), and the South African Naturopathic curriculum. An in-depth evaluation and comparison with the Ghanaian program were conducted, together with abstracted WNF responses which were then analyzed thematically.
They reported that after the necessary recommendations by WNF were adopted. The two Ghanaian curricula met the international standard. The recommendations also strengthened the mandatory general area of competence in Naturopathic training. The Ghanaian Bachelor’s in Naturopathy has total clock hours of 5,979, which surpasses the South African degree in Naturopathy (5,950) clock hours.
About Prof. Nyarkotey and Lawrencia Aggrey -Bluwey
Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu and Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey, have become international researchers in the field of Naturopathy with over twenty naturopathic research papers in the Ghanaian jurisdiction. They have coauthored papers and many articles in national newspapers. Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey further contributed to the development of the first-ever national naturopathic curriculum in Ghana.
On his part, Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu dedicates the award to God first and to his colleague Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey for her contributions toward Naturopathic research in Ghana. Prof. Nyarkotey is the President of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine, Ashaiman, Ghana, a recognized natural medicine school by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Ministry of Health, and registered under The Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).