Pentecost University Employs Dr Kofi Busia, One of the Worlds Top Herbal Scientist to Pioneer Research and Teaching Herbal Medicine

In its endeavour to establish a robust research-led and teaching university, Pentecost University has enlisted the expertise of Dr Kofi Busia, one of the world’s leading herbal scientists, to pioneer groundbreaking research and elevate the standard of teaching.

• Brief Background:

Dr Kofi Busia is a medical herbalist, medical scientist and chartered chemist, passionate about the primary health care approach as the most efficient, fair, and cost-effective way to organize health systems. He has rare expertise in the healing arts, plant medicine/natural product research which he increasingly combines with the teaching and practice of herbal medicine. He also has a wealth of experience and expertise in university education, health research, curriculum and health policy development, management and leadership, and a good knowledge of the health systems of the ECOWAS countries.

Kofi holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Biological Organic (Natural Product) Chemistry from Birkbeck, University of London. He also studied Basic Medical Science at Queen Mary, University of London, and subsequently earned a BSc (Hons) degree in Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from Middlesex University, UK, where he served as a much-valued Senior Lecturer in Phytochemistry, Phytopharmacology, Herbal pharmacy and Transferrable skills for over 10 years. Between 2005 and 2007, he taught at the Chemistry Department of the University of Ghana before joining the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised health institution of ECOWAS, in 2007, initially as the Programme Officer for Traditional Medicine, and subsequently as the Director of the Department of Healthcare Services, and Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Health Information.

In addition to these senior management roles, Kofi served as the institution’s Project Manager for the USAID-funded Leadership Capacity Strengthening (CAPS) project and also coordinated the Royal Netherlands-funded Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Young People project, as well as the Johns Hopkins University-led Countdown to 2030 Project. He is a quiet, pragmatic achiever, with excellent interpersonal skills and a remarkable ability to work under pressure. He is disciplined, fair but firm, a team player, and an attentive listener.

He has extensive overseas links in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, traditional/complementary/and alternative medicine, health research and herbal/pharmaceutical manufacturing. In addition, he has vast experience in dealing with institutions such as USAID, WHO, NEPAD, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Medical Research Council-UK, Kew Gardens-UK and the Science and Engineering Research Council, UK. In 2013, he was decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso with the title: “Chevallier de l’Ordre National du Burkina Faso” (Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso) for his contribution to the development of Traditional Medicine in the ECOWAS region. Kofi has strong communication, presentation and facilitating skills, which he utilizes effectively during meetings, training workshops and local and international conferences. In spite of his numerous responsibilities, he has written widely on topical issues in public health and herbal medicine and contributed several book chapters, notably African Traditional Medicine: The Way Forward, in African Indigenous Knowledge and Human Health, edited by Charles Wambebe. He has also authored four books: Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine (Volumes 1 and 2); Advanced Level and Senior High School Physical and Inorganic Chemistry; and Organic Chemistry for High Schools.

• My Backgrounds integration into my new role:

Having trained as a chemist, medical scientist, herbal medicine practitioner, university educator, and researcher, and with the vast experience I have acquired in health systems’ development and international diplomacy, make me uniquely suited for this role.

• What prompted my coming to PU:

I had heard about Pentecost University through the Faculty of Theology and Mission and that the former Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Appiah Denkyira, had been involved in establishing the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences. But I had not considered working here until a friend introduced me to the former Rector Prof Peter Kyei, who, on knowing my background mooted the idea of introducing me to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua so that I could be engaged by the university to pioneer an innovative herbal medicine programme here. Subsequently, Prof Emmanuel Osei Akyeampong took it up to talk directly to the Vice Chancellor, and as they say, the rest is history! Having said that I have been acquainted with the Church of Pentecost going back several years, as my late elder sister Rose Nyarkoh and her husband, Rev Dr Attah-Nyarkoh are staunch members of the church and had actually served as Deaconess and Area Head, respectively of the Tetelestai Assembly in Suame-Kumasi.

• What I have observed about the University so far:

The warmth and friendliness of all the people I have encountered so far, from the Vice Chancellor, through the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, the HR, QA and Finance teams, to all the support staff including the cleaners and security guards. There is a real sense of community and a pervasive culture of respect and an ambition to aspire to greatness and excellence here. The dynamism and vision of the Vice Chancellor and his team, are very refreshing and inspiring.

• My intended contributions to the growth of the University and my office

Scholarship; excellence in teaching and learning; international credibility; scientific writing and communication; promoting a culture of research and publications in peer-reviewed journals; seminars and workshops; a team working spirit to achieve goals.

• Publications or relevant articles
• Books and Chapters

1. Adigwe OP, Busia K (2023). A Contextual Exploration of Phytomedicines Development in Africa. Xlibris Publishers, UK
2. Busia K (2019). Advanced Level and Senior High School Organic Chemistry. In press. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
3. Busia K (2018), in Charles Wambebe (2018). African Indigenous Medical Knowledge and Human Health. London: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis. Chapter 9: African Traditional Medicine: The Way Forward.
4. Busia K (2018). Advanced Level and Senior High School Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. In press. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
5. Busia K (2016). Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine: History, Phytopharmacology, Phytotherapeutics, Volume 1. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
6. Busia K (2016). Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine: Major Plant Families, Analytical Methods, Materia Medica, Vol 2. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
7. Busia K (2009). Monographs on Medicinal Plants. Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD), Ministry of Health, Ghana.
8. Busia K (2007), Editor. Ghana Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The Advent Press: Accra, Ghana
9. Busia K and Motohashi N (2006). Chapter Contribution. The use of lutein and zeaxanthins in the treatment of ageing and age-related diseases, Research Signpost, 165-186

 Reviews

1. Busia, K. (2016) Perspectives of a Phytotherapist on Ethnopharmacology. Ethnopharmacology. Michael Heinrich and Anna K Jager, eds. John Wiley and Sons, 2015. 462 pp.
2. Busia, K. (2000) Traditional Chinese Medicines: Molecular structures, natural sources, and applications. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; compiled by X Yan, J Zhou and G Xie; 1024 pages. Ashgate Publishers: USA- the world’s first authoritative guide to the chemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicines.
3. Busia, K. (2004) Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. The Pharmaceutical Journal, 272 (7296): 517. By M. Heinrich, J. Barnes, S. Gibbons and E.M. Williamson; 309 pages. Churchill Livingstone Publishers.

Journal Articles

1. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1990) Total synthesis of chiro-inositol 2,3,5-trisphosphate: a myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate analogue from benzene via photo-oxidation, Tetrahedron Letters, 31, 1617.
2. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1990) Total synthesis of Myo-inositol polyphosphates from benzene via conduritol B derivatives, Tetrahedron Letters, 31, 3449.
3. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1992) Synthesis of racemic 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-chiro-inositol 2,3,5-trisphosphate, Carbohydrate Research (Special edition), 234, 207-215.
4. Carless, H.A.J., Busia, K., Y. Dove and Malik, S. (1993). Syntheses of Conduritol D derivatives from Aromatic Compounds. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans I, 21; 2505.
5. Shan, Y. and Busia, K. (2001) Medical Provision for the 21^st Century, The J. of Alt and Comp Med., 8, 193-196.
6. Busia, K. and Pyne, H. (2002) Overview of the Orthodox and Phytopharmacological Management of Anxiety, J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issues, 3: 15-25
7. Busia K and Ronaldson M., (2003) Overview of the Therapeutic Potential of the Amazonian potion, Ayahuasca. J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issues, 4: 23-30
8. Busia K. and Murphy R. (2005). A Historical Account of Epilepsy: Perceptions and Treatment. J. of Health, Social and Environ Issues, 6(1): 35-44.
9. Abel, C. and Busia, K. (2004). An Exploratory Ethnobotanical Study into the Practice of Herbal Medicine by the Akan People of Ghana. Alt Med Review, 10(2), 112-122.
10. Pendry, B, Busia, K and Bell, CM (2005). Phytochemical Evaluation of Selected Antioxidant-containing Medicinal Plants for use in the Preparation of a Herbal Formula- a Preliminary Study. Chem and Biodiversity, 2; 917-922.
11. Busia K and Topps, G. (2004) The Concept of Synergy: time for a new paradigm. Aust J. of Med Herb, 17(2); 45-54.
12. Busia, K (2005). Medical Provision in Africa-Past and Present. Phytotherapy Res., 19, 919-923.
13. Busia, K and Heckels, F. (2006). Jimson Weed: History, Perceptions, Traditional Uses and Therapeutic Benefits of the Datura Species. Herbalgram, 69, 4-50.
14. Busia, K. (2005) Monograph of Indigofera arrecta. Aust J Herb Med, 17(4); 125-129
15. Busia, K. (2005) Monograph of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. ex Benth. J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issue, 6(2): 19-23
16. Pendry, B, Busia, K and Bell, CM (2006). Phytochemical Analysis of the Antioxidant Properties of Silybum marianum L. J. Oriental and Experimental Med., 6(3); 167-173.
17. Busia, K. (2006) Lessons to be learnt from the National Health Insurance Schemes adopted by developing nations-a Medical Herbalist’s Perspectives. Aus J Med Herb 18(2): 54-60
18. Busia, K (2006). Monograph of Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Aust J. of Med Herb
19. Busia K and Kasilo, OMJ (2010). An overview of traditional medicine in ECOWAS Member States. The African Health Moniror-Special Issue, 16-24.
20. Busia K., Kasilo, OMJ and Mhame PP (2010). Clinical practices of African Traditional Medicine. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 32-39
21. Busia K and Kasilo OMJ (2010). Collaboration between traditional health practitioners and conventional health practitioners. Some country experiences. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 40-46
22. Kasilo OMJ, Mawuli Kofi-Tsekpo and Busia K (2010). Towards sustainable local production of traditional medicines in the African Region. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 80-88
23. Aurel, CA, Busia, K, Ekanmian V and Bakiono, F (2011). The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(1): 234-243
24. Bamba S., Kpoda H., Chemla C., Da O., Sawadogo M., Busia K., Guiguemdé T.R., (2012). Contribution à l’analyse ethnobotanique des plantes utilisées dans le traitement du paludisme : À propos de la région des Hauts Bassins et de ses localités riveraines au Burkina Faso. La Phytothérapie Européenne Janvier-Février, 66:19-25
25. Olufunsho A, Coulidiaty AGV, Oluyemi, AG, Sunday A, Omoseyindemi B, Busia K (2018). Toxicological evaluation of Picralima nitida in rodents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 236: 205–219
26. Busia K., Kasilo OMJ (2019). Contribution of traditional medicine to curbing of antimicrobial resistance. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, May 20 (accepted)
27. Namoudou K., Lokossou V., Berthe A, Sombie I., Johnson E., Busia K (2017). The West African experience in establishing steering committees for better collaboration between researchers and decision-makers to increase the use of health research findings. Health Research Policy and Systems 2017, 15(Suppl 1):50 DOI 10.1186/s12961-017-0216-6
28. Safia SJ , Gatica-Domínguez G, Crochemore Mohnsam da Silva I, Maïga A, Walton S, Hazel E, Baille B, Bose S, Bosu WK, Busia K, Ca T, Coulibaly-Zerbo F, Mbacké Faye C, Kumapley R, Mehra V, Somda SMA, Verstraeten R, Amouzou A (2020). Trends and inequalities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000: a cross-sectional series study. BMJ Global Health 2020; 0:e002948. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002948
29. Houéto DS, Kéita M, Sheriff M, Busia K (2019). Behaviour change programs in Africa: reasons for a perpetual recommencement. MOJ Public Health, Volume 8 Issue 2 – 2019
30. Mongbo Y, Sombié I, Dao B, Johnson EAK, Ouédraogo L, Tall F, Asmani C, Busia K, Ogbureke N, Ndour M, Sinkondo IY (2021). Maintaining continuity of essential reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Francophone West Africa DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2021/v25i2.7

• Buzzwords about me and the University

Courtesy pays much but costs nothing; health is wealth; service to God and humanity; knowledge is power; hard work pays; great is thy faithfulness; now praise we great and famous men; Patron!

•  Interests outside role but helpful to the University community

1. Reviewing scientific publications- Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Herbal Medicine
2. Curricular development
3. Scientific writing and communication
4. Mentoring
5. Leadership and management

I am proud to be part of the PU family. May God’s faithfulness unto all of us endure till the end of time.