Apostle Dr. Samuel Amagashie Presents Awards to Otumfuo, Calls for Regular Health Check-Ups on World Sickle Cell Day
In a passionate call to action during the World Sickle Cell Day celebration, Apostle Dr. Samuel Amagashie, Chief Executive Officer of the Amagashie Spiritual and Herbal Centre Clinic, urged Ghanaians to make regular health check-ups a priority in their lives, especially knowing their sickle cell status to prevent future health complications.
Speaking in an exclusive interview at Manhyia Palace, Apostle Dr. Amagashie made the remarks after presenting two distinguished awards he had received — the CENBA Africa Business Excellence Award and the West Africa Traditional and Medical Award — to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The presentation was a gesture of humility and respect, recognizing the Asantehene’s unwavering support for traditional medicine and holistic healthcare in Ghana.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, visibly pleased by the recognition, commended Apostle Amagashie for his dedication to health advocacy and spiritual healing, and offered his royal blessings for the continued success of the herbal practitioner and his clinic, which serves clients across the country.
Apostle Dr. Amagashie used the occasion to highlight the urgency of sickle cell awareness, warning that a lack of knowledge about one’s genotype continues to contribute to the high rates of the disease in Ghana. “We cannot wait until marriage or illness to know our sickle cell status. Every Ghanaian, especially the youth, must take charge of their health. Early detection through check-ups can save countless lives,” he stressed.
He also lamented the neglect of preventive healthcare practices in Ghana and appealed to health authorities to invest more in education and outreach programs, particularly in rural communities where access to information is limited.
In addition to his health message, Apostle Dr. Amagashie made a heartfelt appeal to former President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to fulfill a promise made to the herbal medical fraternity. He reminded the former president of his pledge to establish a Herbal Nursing Training College and to include herbal facilities under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). “Traditional medicine continues to play a vital role in Ghana’s healthcare delivery. We need institutional backing to train more herbal nurses and to ensure that herbal facilities are supported by government policies like NHIS,” he emphasized.
As part of World Sickle Cell Day activities, the Amagashie Herbal Centre organized an outreach event in Accra that brought together traditional healers, health experts, students, and community members. The event offered free genotype testing, health screenings, and education sessions on sickle cell prevention and management.
World Sickle Cell Day, observed globally on June 19, aims to raise awareness about the inherited blood disorder that affects millions of people, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, the condition remains a public health concern, with a need for consistent public education and screening campaigns.
The Amagashie Spiritual and Herbal Centre Clinic has vowed to continue its awareness efforts beyond this year’s celebration. Plans are underway to expand the clinic’s outreach to senior high schools, churches, and deprived communities, promoting early detection and dispelling myths surrounding the disease.
