Queen Mother calls for AI integration into traditional healthcare

Naa Juyoo Oshedu Wobolor Jueteer Tsofayelor, a traditional leader, Queen Mother from La Agbawe Kplen, and a passionate health advocate, has urged the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with traditional knowledge to revolutionize healthcare delivery and ensure accessibility for culturally sensitive communities.
Speaking at a symposium on AI in In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and Smart Diagnostics, she stressed that AI-driven healthcare must be culturally inclusive to gain public trust and acceptance.
“We may not be too conversant with AI, but when tradition meets modernity, it is always progressive,” she stated, adding that Ghana should take inspiration from China’s success in merging traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems.
She argued that AI can help standardize and improve indigenous remedies such as the widely used Odidoo herbal tea, which has been passed down through generations but lacks formal recognition in modern medical practice.
She further noted that gender-sensitive healthcare, where AI helps match patients with providers based on cultural preferences could significantly improve early disease detection and treatment outcomes.
Naa Juyoo Oshedu Wobolor Jueteer Tsofayelor emphasized that bridging the gap between modern healthcare and indigenous knowledge systems requires collaboration, trust, and cultural sensitivity.
“Every land has an owner, and every group has a leader,” she stated, underscoring the importance of engaging traditional and community leaders in the introduction and implementation of healthcare initiatives. “To truly make healthcare accessible to all, we must involve those who best understand the cultural and social dynamics of their communities.”
She further stressed the need to build consensus, ensuring that healthcare interventions align with local traditions and beliefs.
“The people know their systems better. Always knock, consult, seek permission, and collaborate with traditional leaders, protocols, and structures to be effective and successful in your healthcare plan,” she explained.
Highlighting the critical role traditional leaders play in healthcare access, she explained that they often serve as the first point of contact for individuals living with mental health conditions, intersex persons, and people affected by stigma-related illnesses such as HIV.
“We know where to find and help you reach the people you are looking for. In many cases, people do not seek medical help because of cultural taboos or fear of discrimination. Engaging traditional leaders can break these barriers,” she further explained.
She also drew attention to unique medical cases often misunderstood by modern medicine, such as the so-called “two-year pregnancy” phenomenon, which is sometimes a misdiagnosis of intrauterine myoma alongside a later conception. “These cases require both scientific understanding and cultural sensitivity to properly address,” she remarked.
Supporting Naa Juyoo’s call, Dr. Anita Appiah, a senior physician with the Catholic Health Service, emphasized that integrating AI into healthcare must go beyond technological advancements and focus on social and cultural relevance.
“Technology should serve the people, not alienate them. AI-powered healthcare systems must be trained to respect local traditions, especially in areas like reproductive health, mental health, and conditions associated with stigma,” she said.
Adding to the discussion, Dr. Paulina Mefia Denteh, a public health expert, pointed out that AI can also play a role in identifying and addressing healthcare gaps in remote and underserved communities.
“One major challenge we face is access to accurate health data in traditional communities. AI can help map out disease patterns, track health trends, and even predict outbreaks, all while incorporating indigenous medical knowledge into patient care,” she explained.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of collaboration between traditional healers and modern medical practitioners. Experts at the symposium agreed that instead of dismissing traditional medicine, efforts should be made to research, refine, and integrate proven remedies into the healthcare system using AI-driven analysis.
By PRINCE OPOKU DOGBEY, Accra