By Patience Esi Tamakloe
Benadak Herbal Clinic and Research Centre has donated cartons of herbal mixture valued at GH¢40,000 to 250 elderly residents of Adaklu Torda in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region.
The donation, made on Saturday, November 7, 2026, forms part of the clinic’s efforts to give back to the community and support the health and well-being of elderly residents.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Benadak Herbal Clinic and Research Centre, Dr Ben Tutu, said the initiative was inspired by his strong ties to Adaklu Torda, his hometown, where his roots were firmly established.
He expressed his commitment to extending similar support to other rural communities, while using the opportunity to educate residents on healthy living, herbal medicine production and informed health choices.
Dr Tutu explained that herbal medicine production was part of his family’s heritage, with knowledge and practices passed down through generations. He said members of the family had pursued formal education to refine and improve the traditional knowledge inherited from their forebears.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining proper standards in herbal medicine production, particularly compliance with regulatory requirements, including registration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
On healthy living, Dr Tutu encouraged residents to make fruits and vegetables an essential part of their daily diets, citing their nutritional value as natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals.
He further called for a revival of backyard gardening, which he said had gradually declined despite its contribution to household food security and healthy eating.
“Our great-grandfathers practised backyard gardening, but somehow we have lost that tradition. Today, people have to go to the market to buy vegetables such as okro, tomatoes and spinach, which they could easily grow in their backyards. We must revive that practice because it makes life easier and promotes healthy eating,” he said.
He also urged residents to reduce their dependence on chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals, advocating the use of organic manure and other natural farming methods to promote healthier food production and environmental sustainability.
“Let us go back to our old ways of farming. It is safe and organic,” he advised.
Reflecting on the lifestyles of previous generations, Dr Tutu encouraged residents to reconsider traditional practices that promoted healthy living, while avoiding habits that could adversely affect their well-being.
He also appealed to medical practitioners to prioritise patient recovery and welfare, rather than placing excessive emphasis on financial gains.
“Doctors should focus on the progress of their patients. They should not concentrate only on making money,” he said.
Dr Tutu further urged Ghanaians to appreciate locally manufactured herbal products, particularly those that meet the required regulatory standards. He said improvements in production, preservation and packaging had enhanced the quality of herbal medicines in the country.
He disclosed that Benadak products were available at the herbal units of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the Ho Municipal Hospital, as well as at the clinic at Mawuli Senior High School, his alma mater.
Meanwhile, a representative of the clinic, Esi Elikem, urged the beneficiaries to use the donated products responsibly and adhere strictly to the recommended instructions.
She cautioned against excessive consumption and misuse, stressing the need for the elderly to take their health seriously.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Assembly Member for the area, Belove Akpalu, commended Dr Tutu and his team for remembering their hometown and extending support to the elderly.
He described the gesture as an act of generosity and expressed optimism that the initiative would inspire further support for the community.
“I am excited that Benadak is back home with medicine free of charge. I pray for more knowledge for him to expand beyond imagination,” he said.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Adaklu, Jerry Yoa Ameko, who joined the presentation after passing through the community, also donated cleaning equipment, including a wheelbarrow, head pans, shovels, brooms and other materials, to support community sanitation efforts.
He encouraged residents to patronise the local enterprise, describing it as a homegrown business deserving of community support.
“Support your own. He is the son of our soil, and his products are great,” he said, adding that he had previously visited the facility to familiarise himself with its operations and had received positive feedback about its products.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing the donation as timely and beneficial.
The presentation coincided with a community clean-up exercise, which attracted a considerable number of residents.
The six cartons of Benadak Herbal Mixture, valued at GH¢40,000, were formally handed over to the community by Esi Elikem on behalf of the clinic. The Assembly Member, Belove Akpalu, received the products for onward distribution to the 250 elderly beneficiaries.
The donation provided an opportunity for Dr Tutu to reconnect with his hometown while promoting healthy living, community development and appreciation of traditional herbal knowledge.
