Ethno-Archaeological Study of Traditional Medicine at Kodiabe, Ghana

Bismark Asamoah, University of Ghana, Legon
Benjamin Warinsie Kankpeyeng, University of Ghana, Legon
Daniel Kumah, University of Ghana, Legon

Research on traditional medicine in Ghana and Kodiabe is limited, hindering evidence-based medicine development and treatment options. The overemphasis on mysticism and religion in healthcare undermines efficacy and reliability and has significant impacts on healthcare delivery in Ghana. This study explored the traditional healing practices of Kodiabe, Ghana, delving into the community's utilization of indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants. Through ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and interviews, we examined the cultural and environmental context of healing rituals, which play a central role in the lives of the Kodiabe people. The study also analyzed plant-based remedies to assess their medicinal properties, aiming to validate the efficacy of the local practices. The study highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge in health and cultural preservation and recommends a comprehensive approach to traditional and modern healthcare systems that contributes to the understanding of indigenous medical systems, offering insights for biomedical research and global health.