President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the critical role of traditional medicine in Africa’s healthcare system, revealing that more than half of the population depends on herbs and natural forest resources for treatment.
Speaking at the One Health Summit in Lyon, France, on Tuesday, April 7, President Mahama highlighted the continent’s long-standing integration of natural and modern health practices.
He noted that the reliance on herbal medicine reflects a deep-rooted cultural approach to healthcare, where human, animal, and environmental health are closely interconnected.
“The One Health approach is therefore not theoretical for us in Africa, as we have traditionally lived in close harmony with nature and recognise ourselves as an integral part of it. Even today, more than 50% of our population relies on herbs and natural forest resources for medicine,” he stated.
He stressed that across the continent, lived experiences continue to demonstrate that human survival, animal well-being, plant health, and environmental care operate as a unified system, one that supports prevention, early detection, and rapid response to health threats.
The President’s remarks come amid growing global attention on sustainable and inclusive health systems, with the One Health approach gaining traction as a key framework for addressing complex and interrelated health challenges.
