Abstract
Traditional medicine has been practised in Ghana for centuries with the majority of Ghanaians still patronising the services of traditional healers. Throughout Africa a large number
of people use pangolins as a source of traditional medicine, however, there is a dearth of information on the use of animals in folk medicine in Ghana, in particular the use of pangolins.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalent use of pangolins and the level of knowledge of pangolin use among traditional healers in Ghana for the treatment of human ailments. Data was gathered from 48 traditional healers using semi-structured interviews on
the traditional medicinal use of pangolin body parts in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The
cultural importance index, relative frequency of citation, informant agreement ratio and use
agreement values were calculated to ascertain the most culturally important pangolin body
part as well as the level of knowledge dissemination among traditional healers with regards
pangolin body parts. Our study revealed that 13 body parts of pangolins are used to treat
various medicinal ailments. Pangolin scales and bones were the most prevalent prescribed
body parts and indicated the highest cultural significance among traditional healing practices primarily for the treatment of spiritual protection, rheumatism, financial rituals and convulsions. Despite being classified under Schedule 1 of Ghana’s Wildlife Conservation Act of
1971 (LI 685), that prohibits anyone from hunting or being in possession of a pangolin, our
results indicated that the use of pangolins for traditional medicinal purposes is widespread
among traditional healers in Ghana. A study on the population status and ecology of the
three species of African pangolins occurring in Ghana is urgently required in order to determine the impact this harvest for traditional medical purposes has on their respective populations as current levels appear to be unmonitored and unsustainable.
of people use pangolins as a source of traditional medicine, however, there is a dearth of information on the use of animals in folk medicine in Ghana, in particular the use of pangolins.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalent use of pangolins and the level of knowledge of pangolin use among traditional healers in Ghana for the treatment of human ailments. Data was gathered from 48 traditional healers using semi-structured interviews on
the traditional medicinal use of pangolin body parts in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The
cultural importance index, relative frequency of citation, informant agreement ratio and use
agreement values were calculated to ascertain the most culturally important pangolin body
part as well as the level of knowledge dissemination among traditional healers with regards
pangolin body parts. Our study revealed that 13 body parts of pangolins are used to treat
various medicinal ailments. Pangolin scales and bones were the most prevalent prescribed
body parts and indicated the highest cultural significance among traditional healing practices primarily for the treatment of spiritual protection, rheumatism, financial rituals and convulsions. Despite being classified under Schedule 1 of Ghana’s Wildlife Conservation Act of
1971 (LI 685), that prohibits anyone from hunting or being in possession of a pangolin, our
results indicated that the use of pangolins for traditional medicinal purposes is widespread
among traditional healers in Ghana. A study on the population status and ecology of the
three species of African pangolins occurring in Ghana is urgently required in order to determine the impact this harvest for traditional medical purposes has on their respective populations as current levels appear to be unmonitored and unsustainable.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Jan 2015 |