Accra, Ghana – In a historic moment for Ghana and the African continent, Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a renowned naturopathic professor, lawyer, and academic, has been officially ranked No. 1 in the world in the field of Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine by the AD Scientific Index (2025 Global Edition.
This distinction, released on July 19, 2025, places Prof. Nyarkotey above thousands of scientists globally, confirming his position as a trailblazer in evidence-based natural medicine. In addition to topping the global list, he also maintains his No. 1 ranking in both Africa and Ghana—a triple honour that underscores his academic influence, clinical contributions, and policy advocacy in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) sector.
The AD Scientific Index, which assesses researchers based on Google Scholar citation metrics such as H-index, i10-index, and citation counts, recognized Prof. Nyarkotey’s consistent scholarly output, thought leadership, and dedication to the advancement of naturopathic medicine.
“This recognition is not only for me but for the entire African naturopathic and traditional medicine community. It proves that indigenous healing systems, when researched and properly institutionalized, have a place in global scientific discourse,” Prof. Nyarkotey said in a statement.
A Continental Torchbearer
Prof. Nyarkotey is the Founder and President of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology, the first naturopathic college in Ghana under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). His academic efforts have led to the development of Ghana’s first National Occupational Standards in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine, institutionalizing professional pathways for CAM practitioners across Africa.
Beyond the classroom, he serves as Legal Director of the Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS), General Secretary of the Ghana Alternative Medical Practitioners Association (GAMPA), and a Research Advocate with the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) in Canada. His dual role as a scientist and barrister uniquely positions him to advocate for policy reforms, including the establishment of a distinct legal framework for CAM practices in Ghana.
Recognition with Implications
Prof. Nyarkotey’s global ranking is not just an academic feat—it carries significant implications for health policy, research funding, and regulatory recognition of naturopathy in Ghana and Africa. It supports the ongoing call for:
– Government recognition of naturopaths and holistic medicine practitioners,
– Integration of CAM into national health systems using scientific and competency-based training models.
The news has been widely celebrated by the naturopathic academic community, traditional medicine stakeholders, and policy advocates across Africa and the diaspora.
About the AD Scientific Index
The AD Scientific Index is a global ranking platform that analyzes more than 2.6 million scientists across over 200 countries and thousands of institutions. Its methodology emphasizes the scientific productivity and citation impact of individual researchers based on publicly available Google Scholar data.
Final Word
As Africa pushes toward healthcare pluralism and sovereignty in healing knowledge systems, Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu’s milestone offers both inspiration and direction. It reminds the world that natural medicine is not a relic of the past—but a scientifically grounded, culturally rooted system of care for the future.
