Abstract

Patrick Addo-Fordjour*, Alexander Kofi Anning, Ebenezer Jeremiah Durosimi Belford and Dorcas Akonnor

The diversity and conservation status of medicinal plants were studied in the Aparapi forest reserve at Bomaa, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana. Information on the medicinal plants was obtained from semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and field excursions involving herbalists and taxonomists. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 47 genera and 22 families were identified by the traditional herbalists as medicinal plants. These were used to treat a variety of diseases. Fabaceae was the most dominant family. The medicinal plants were categorised into four growth forms: trees (63.5%), climbers (15.4 %), herbs (11.5%) and shrubs (9.6%). The most commonly harvested plant parts were leaves (40.3 %). Most of the herbalists (56%) did not replant after harvesting. None of the herbalists had garden(s) where medicinal plants were cultivated. Majority of the traditional practitioners (57%) did not have trainees. Transmission of knowledge to trainees was mainly informal. Most of the herbalists did not keep records on the diseases treated and the plants used. Some of the harvesting methods employed by the herbalists were destructive. The herbalists confirmed a decrease in the richness and abundance of some of plant species including threatened ones. Harvesting of such species should be regulated by the forestry commission of Ghana.