On Friday, 9 October 2026, Lawyer Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a Ghanaian naturopathic scholar and healthcare policy advocate, achieved a significant milestone by being called to the Ghana Bar. This development makes him the first naturopath to become a lawyer in two African jurisdictions, following his call to the Gambian Bar in November 2024. This achievement is seen as a symbolic milestone for a profession that has long fought for recognition and acceptance.
Nyarkotey Obu's journey to the Bar was not without challenges. He had to overcome significant financial hurdles, including Bar fees of US$8,000, which were substantial given the weakness of Ghana's cedi at the time. Additionally, he resat Legislative Drafting three times before passing, highlighting his perseverance and dedication to his goals. He attributes his success to the support of his Gambian colleagues, who presented him with Artemisia annua at the ceremony as a symbol of his mission to protect traditional medicine.
In addition to his legal career, Nyarkotey Obu has pursued multiple tracks. He is the President of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology, which he founded as Ghana's first naturopathic medical school. He is also a chartered health economist and chartered management consultant. Furthermore, he was pursuing a second MPhil/PhD in Law and Development, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare and policy.
The timing of Nyarkotey Obu's call to the Bar is significant, given the ongoing regulatory disputes in Ghana's alternative medicine sector. In 2025, the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) reportedly called for his arrest, alleging he acted contrary to its authority. Nyarkotey Obu responded by stating that, as General Secretary of the Ghana Alternative Medical Practitioners Association, he had legally challenged the TMPC's authority to regulate alternative medicine. His new status as a lawyer enables him to argue these questions in court and policy spaces more effectively.
Supporters of Nyarkotey Obu see him as a pioneer who is professionalizing the field of naturopathy and giving traditional healers a voice in legal and policy debates. However, skeptics note that naturopathy remains contested among medical professionals, and a law license does not resolve questions about the evidence for specific treatments. Nyarkotey Obu himself acknowledges the skepticism surrounding naturopathy and the need for practitioners to demonstrate their qualifications.
The broader implications of Nyarkotey Obu's achievement for Ghana's healthcare sector are significant. As the health and law sectors increasingly overlap, issues such as medical negligence, traditional medicine licensing, and regulatory authority are becoming more prominent. Practitioners who understand both sides, like Nyarkotey Obu, could improve the debate by using their position to promote accountability and clarity in regulation, patient-safety standards, and evidence-based practice.
Ultimately, the test of Nyarkotey Obu's achievement will be whether it leads to tangible improvements in the regulation of naturopathy and the integration of traditional medicine into Ghana's healthcare system. His supporters hope that his new standing will facilitate clear regulation, patient-safety standards, and honest evidence, rather than merely adding titles. As Ghana continues to navigate the complexities of its healthcare sector, Nyarkotey Obu's role as a lawyer and naturopathic scholar will likely be closely watched.
Key points
- Nyarkotey Obu is the first naturopath to become a lawyer in two African jurisdictions.
- His call to the Bar has significant implications for the regulation of Ghana's alternative medicine sector.
- The achievement highlights the increasing overlap between health and law in Ghana's healthcare sector.
