PROFILE
Professor Regina Appiah-Opong, FGA
Regina Appiah-Opong (nee Asare Antwi) is a Professor of Toxicology at the Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana (UG). She has thirty-three years of working experience in biomedical Sciences. She served as the Head of the Department of Clinical Pathology at NMIMR for 12 years.
Education
Regina began her primary education at the then University Primary School, University of Science and Technology (now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)), Kumasi. She continued her education at St. Louis Secondary School, Kumasi, where she sat for her General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examinations. She then attended Technology Secondary School, Kumasi, for GCE Advanced Level examinations. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Biochemistry from KNUST and a Master of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from UG. She later earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Molecular Toxicology from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Employment
Regina was posted to El-Alzaria Islamic School, Tafo, Kumasi, for her post-Advanced Level National Service, where she served as an English teacher for all classes. After her first-degree programme, she was posted to the NMIMR, UG, for National Service (1991), where she worked as a Senior Research Assistant at the Department of Electron Microscopy. In April 1993, she was employed as a Senior Research Assistant at the Department of Clinical Pathology. She rose through the ranks by dint of hard work to become Chief Research Assistant. In 2009, she was employed as a Research Fellow in the same department. Subsequently, she was promoted to the rank of Senior Research Fellow in 2012, Associate Professor in 2015 and Professor in 2020. During her one-year Sabbatical leave (2023-2024), she served as an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho. After her Sabbatical leave, she was appointed as an Adjunct Professor (May 2025) in the same department and school.
Other Training
Professor Appiah-Opong participated in a six-month training programme (from August 2001) at
the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (NIID) in Tokyo, Japan, with the support of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). During this period, she gained advanced skills in Molecular Biology. Between 2009 and 2011, she underwent postdoctoral training at the Department of Pharmacology, Yale Medical School, Connecticut, USA, spending two months each year at the institution. At Yale University, she acquired expertise in the biological and chemical fingerprinting of medicinal plants, which she later applied to the studies on selected Ghanaian medicinal plants. This work led to the filing of a provisional patent. In August 2016, she participated in the Senior Academic
Leadership Training (SALT Phase II) programme for heads of departments, organised by the National Council for Tertiary Education (now Ghana Tertiary Education Council). She has also attended numerous workshops, seminars and conferences, which have served as important platforms for professional development and capacity building. Expertise and Highlights of Research Works Professor Appiah-Opong possesses extensive expertise in various areas of Toxicology and Pharmacology. Her research work has primarily focused on cytochrome P450-mediated drug interactions, the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants (particularly in the context of drug discovery), the impact of environmental toxins such as aflatoxins and heavy metals and cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics. Her work on drug interactions has identified cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interaction potentials of some Ghanaian medicinal plant-based therapies on the market. In drug discovery, her research has centered on anticancer and antimalarial agents. These studies have established the anticancer and antimalarial properties of numerous medicinal plants, used by Traditional Medicine Practitioners to treat cancer and malaria. She has also been involved in drug discovery studies targeting anti-trypanosomal, anti-leishmanial and antituberculosis agents. While at NIID in Japan (and later in Ghana), she contributed to the construction of a DNA cassette vector used in drug susceptibility testing for anti-HIV therapies.
This work had important implications for the use of protease inhibitors during the rollout of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Ghana. Additionally, she was part of a research team that adapted the tetrazolium-based colorimetric selective assay (MTT-based CSA) for high-3 throughput screening of antimalarial agents. She has served as Principal Investigator and CoInvestigator on numerous research projects. Professor Appiah-Opong has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and five book chapters. She is also a co-inventor on a United States or PCT international Patent (Novel compounds having a tetracyclic iridoid skeleton – Ghana/Japan collaboration) and a Provisional patent filed in partnership with Yale University and the UG.
Funding
Professor Appiah-Opong’s research has received funding support from a range of institutions both within Ghana and abroad. She served as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a project funded by the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), which focused on Cytochrome P450-mediated drug interactions (2011). She was a Co-investigator on two cancer discovery projects supported by the UG Research Fund (UGRF- 5 th and 8th calls), PI on a study to investigate environmental exposure
to heavy metals (UGRF 7 th call), Co-investigator in the same year, for another UGRF-funded project that examined consumer perception, knowledge, and usage of functional foods and a Coinvestigator on a study on pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral agents in HIV-infected pregnant women funded by the Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Centre for AIDS Research (2014). In 2015, she was awarded a Conference Grant from the Technology Development and Transfer Centre/ORID, UG, to attend the UN Global Compact Conference in New York, USA. She collaborated with local and Japanese researchers on a project funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, to investigate anti-viral and anti-parasitic compounds derived from Ghanaian medicinal plants (2010-2015). She was also a Co-investigator on a project funded by the Worldwide Universities Network, which aimed to develop African-led solutions to African health challenges (2017). Currently, she is a Co-investigator on the HIV Co-morbidities research training and mentorship in Ghana, funded by the National Institute of Health/Fogarty, USA (2020-2025).
Teaching and Mentorship
In addition to her research, Professor Appiah-Opong has served as a part-time lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, UG since 2012. Over the years, she has supervised several research projects at the BSc, MPhil and Ph.D levels for students from the UG, KNUST, the University for Development Studies (UDS), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), UHAS and other international institutions. Professor Appiah-Opong has also supervised research work of four international postdoctoral fellows on the Bill and Melinda Gates scholarship at the NMIMR (2014-2018). She continues to serve as a mentor to several students and some faculty members.
Professional Associations
Professor Appiah-Opong is a member of several professional associations, including the University Teachers Association of Ghana, the West African Network of Natural Products Research Scientists and the Ghana Science Association (GSA). Within the GSA, she served as Secretary of the Accra Branch (2013–2017) and as National Treasurer (2017–2021). Professor Appiah-Opong was inducted into the fellowship of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021. She has also held membership in international professional bodies, including the British Toxicology Society (2007-2010), the Leiden-Amsterdam Centre for Drug Research and the Royal Dutch Chemical Association (2004–2009).
Boards, Committees and Extension Services
Professor Appiah-Opong has served on numerous boards and committees within and outside UG. At UG, she has served as a member of the University Academic Board since 2010 and the Scientific and Technical Committee of the NMIMR (2010-2022). Her other university services include membership on the Legon Hall Tutorial Board (2011-2021), Legon Hall Council (2018- 2023), Academic Board of the CHS (2011-present), NMIMR Faculty Board (2011-2014), NMIMR Management Board (2015-2022) and the UG Business and Executive Committee (2018-2023). She also chaired the NMIMR Newsletter Committee (2018-2023). Professor Appiah-Opong currently serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Health Sciences Investigations Journal of the CHS, UG, a position she has held since 2019. She has served on several ad hoc UG committees, including search panels for senior administrative positions. Beyond UG, she is a Board Member of the Research Academy for Women, Ghana (2014–present), Programme Reviewer for the Ghana National Accreditation Board (2017–present) and a member of the Technical Working Group, Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate, Ministry of Health. She also served on the Appointments and School Boards of the School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, UHAS. Professor Appiah-Opong has served as Internal Examiner for Ph.D and MPhil theses at UG and as an External Examiner for Ph.D theses for KNUST and UCC. As Head of Department, she also supervised the Institute’s Clinical Laboratory and the National Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease Laboratory at the Department of Clinical Pathology, NMIMR (2011-2022).
Research Collaborations
Professor Appiah-Opong has maintained active research collaborations locally and internationally. Within the UG, she has partnered with several academic units, including the School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, Departments of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Medical Pharmacology (UG Medical School), Animal Biology and Conservation Sciences, Food Science and Nutrition, Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, Marine and Fisheries Sciences and Chemical Pathology. Beyond UG, her collaborations extend to institutions such as the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapim, KNUST, UDS, UCC, and UHAS. Internationally, Professor Appiah-Opong collaborates with researchers from Yale University, the University of Washington (Seattle, USA), the Mayo Clinic, Nagasaki International University, Tokyo Dental and Medical University and Tianjin University for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Church
Professor Appiah-Opong was born into the Presbyterian Church. She committed her life to Jesus Christ at St. Louis Secondary School. She was an Assistant leader of Tech Youth for Christ and a member of the Evangelism wing of the Inter-Hall Christian Fellowship, KNUST. She served as the Chairperson for Evangelism at the PIWC, Amsterdam. She worships at the Legon Interdenominational Church, Legon, where she currently serves as the Presiding Elder. She loves evangelism and discipling others into Christlikeness.
Family
Professor Appiah-Opong was born to the Late Baffour Nyampong Antwi Boasiako, Nkosuohene of Begoro-Fanteakwa, Eastern Region (nee Mr. John Asare Antwi), a former Teacher and Sports Coach at KNUST. Her mother, Mrs. Faustina Comfort Antwi, is a retired Teacher who hails from Asamama, Eastern Region. She is married to Kenneth Appiah-Opong, a retired Geodetic Engineer, and they are blessed with 2 daughters, Dorcas and Lois, and 2 grandsons, Allan-Kenneth and Gaisey-Gad. In her free time, she enjoys reading and swimming. Her team won bronze medals for Ghana by swimming in a West African Swimming relay competition held at KNUST in the early 1980s.
ABSTRACT
Over centuries and across countries, people have turned to traditional healers, home remedies and ancient medicinal knowledge to address their well-being and health needs. Indeed, in developing countries, most minor ailments are treated with herbal products and natural preparations. The use of plant or herbal medicine is a key part of Ghana’s cultural heritage and reflects the ancient wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations. About 80% of rural dwellers depend on plant medicine for their healthcare needs in Ghana. The high reliance on plant medicines is driven by cultural beliefs in their effectiveness and safety, as well as their affordability and ease of accessibility.
Plant medicine offers an alternative treatment for various communicable and non-communicable diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, prostate problems, depression, inflammation, and immune boosters. Despite their long history of use, some plant medicines may be toxic or cause harmful drug interactions when combined with conventional drugs. However, some Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) are reluctant to subject their products to the rigorous approval processes required by regulatory agencies for new phytopharmaceuticals. Several plants have been found to contain natural compounds that can relieve disease symptoms or promote healing. Approximately 40% of pharmaceutical products today, including landmark drugs, originate from medicinal plants. Examples include Artemisinins (artesunate, artemether, dihydroartemisinin) from Artemisia annua plant that are used as first line antimalarial agents, Aspirin from Salix alba (Willow bark) used as a remedy for pain, inflammation, and as a blood thinner and Paclitaxel (Taxol) from Taxus brevifolia used for managing ovarian, breast and lung cancers. While some empirical evidence exists to support the safety and efficacy of certain plant medicines, many of these medicines used by TMPs have yet to undergo rigorous scientific evaluation. Several institutions have made substantial contributions to the development and promotion of traditional medicines in Ghana. These include the Traditional & Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD) of the Ministry of Health, the Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) and the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists (GAMH). Useful guides for the development of plant medicine include the Ghana Herbal Pharmacopeia and the Monograph on Medicinal Plants of Ghana. The integration of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into primary healthcare delivery in the public health sector commenced in 2017. Currently, fifty-five (55) public health facilities offer TCIM services. This is an important initiative of the Ministry of Health. Despite the progress made in integrating conventional and herbal medicine practices, challenges persist with the rational use of herbal medicines. These include standardisation issues, regulatory hurdles, absence of pre-clinical scientific validation and a lack of clinical trials. There is also a lack of data on the shelf life of almost all herbal products. Another challenge is the classification of many herbal products as foods or dietary supplements, which is inappropriate, as such medicines bypass critical regulation.
The efforts to enhance the safety of medicines include pharmacogenetics (genetic factors related to drugs) studies on drug-metabolising enzymes, particularly cytochrome P450 enzymes, in Ghanaians. Africa, as a continent, is characterised by greater levels of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity in Africa leads to variations in drug metabolism and toxicity, influencing treatment outcomes. Most of the key drugs are effective in only 25-60% of patients, partly due to variations in the cytochrome P450 drug-metabolising enzymes. Ghana is among the few African countries where the genetic profiles of the population have been partially mapped. However, there is a need for more research across Ghana’s diverse ethnic groups to examine the presence and functional capacity of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in drug metabolism. The global plant medicine industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide. According to Fortune Business Insight, the global market size was valued at USD 233 billion in 2024 and it was projected to reach USD 251 billion in 2025 and USD 437 billion by 2032, presenting a compound annual growth rate of 8%. Europe dominated the market in 2024, with a market share of 44%, followed by the United States. Despite the global boom, Ghana has not yet significantly benefited
from the industry. Although no official figures exist, the President of GHAFTRAM has advocated that the sector could generate revenue of over 30 billion Ghana Cedis annually. In this inaugural lecture, I will discuss the effectiveness and safety of plant medicines and present research conducted at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and in collaboration with our partners. Challenges associated with integrating herbal medicines into the Primary Healthcare Delivery System in Ghana will be highlighted. I will also explore the global herbal medicine commerce and the opportunities that Ghana is currently missing. Finally, I will propose some recommendations for policy development.