Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu …first Natural Medicine Lawyer in Africa

Prof. Nyarkotey

Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a dis­tinguished naturopathic Professor and an esteemed advocate for traditional and complementary medicine, has made history by becoming the first naturopath in Africa to be called to the Gambia Bar.

Known for his exception­al dedication to advancing healthcare through both legal and technological frameworks, Prof. Nyarkotey is pioneering a new era in traditional and naturopathic medicine.

At just 39 years old, he is already transforming health­care across the continent and using his legal expertise to shape a regulatory framework for traditional and comple­mentary medicine, bringing a new level of professional credibility and public trust to the field.

In addition to his recent legal accomplishment, Prof. Nyarkotey serves as the pres­ident of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology, Ghana’s first naturopathic medical school, which he founded to provide education in holistic health and technology.

His leadership extends fur­ther: he led a team to develop Ghana’s first National Occu­pational Standards in natu­ropathy and holistic medicine at the HND and BTech levels under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Edu­cation and Training (TVET).

These achievements, along with his work as General Secretary of the Ghana Alter­native Medical Practitioner Association (GAMPA) and as part of the research advocacy team for the World Naturo­pathic Federation in Canada, underscore his commitment to raising standards and advancing the professional development of alternative medicine across Africa.

In the Gambia, Prof. Nyarkotey has support­ed traditional healers and pioneered evi­dence-based naturo­pathic medicine. He also used his legal training days to raise awareness of Gambia’s forgotten herbs and made them popular through his scien­tific writing.

He has authored so many legal com­mentaries on the regulatory legislative framework on tra­ditional and natu­ropathic medicines in the Gambia and Africa.

“With my legal qualifi­cations, I aim to work with various African governments and health organisations to create a unified framework that supports traditional and complementary medicine,” said Prof. Nyarkotey Obu.

“There is a growing demand for these practices, yet the lack of regulation often leads to misuse and public skep­ticism. My goal is to bring about a change in how these treatments are perceived and implemented, safeguarding public health and honouring African traditions,” he added.

Prof. Nyarkotey is not only a renowned Naturopath, but also doubles as a Chartered Health Economist and Char­tered Management Consul­tant.

He is also pursuing a sec­ond MPhil/PhD in Law and Development at the Institute of Development and Technology Man­agement (IDTM) in Cape Coast, Ghana.

His research focuses on med­ical negligence and Alterna­tive Dispute Resolution (ADR), an area of critical impor­tance for African healthcare. By pro­moting ADR, he aims to provide pathways for fair, non-litigious resolutions, protecting both practitioners and patients within traditional medicine.

Prof. Nyarkotey is also at the forefront of exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional and naturopathic medicine, investigating ways AI can revolutionise the de­livery and personalisation of natural medicines.

This approach promises new, tech-enhanced treatment options for underserved com­munities, enabling traditional healers to leverage data-driv­en insights for better patient outcomes.

As a deeply committed Christian, Prof. Nyarkotey bal­ances his professional pursuits with a strong personal faith. His determination and leader­ship have made him a trailbla­ser, setting a new standard for traditional and naturopathic medicine in Africa.

His upcoming consultancy firm aims to unite healers and legal experts, offering regula­tory and technological sup­port, as well as legal protec­tion for traditional healers.

Prof. Nyarkotey’s journey, from founding Ghana’s first naturopathic school to join­ing the Gambia Bar, reflects his drive to secure a place for traditional and naturo­pathic medicine in Africa’s healthcare landscape, and building a future where it is both accessible and regulat­ed. His visionary leadership is helping ensure that traditional medicine will be a credible, trusted, and vital part of healthcare across Africa.