Accra, Ghana

This summit is being mounted by Africa First, in association with and support of the Ghana Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, UNAIDS Ghana Office, Ghana AIDS Commission and Esperanza Medicines. The aim of the event is to identify traditional medicines and practices used in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, sickle cell, anaemia, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and mental disorders, for further evaluation of safety, efficacy and quality standards. The summit includes post-conference volunteering opportunities in hospitals and guided field trips with seminars, which aim to enhance the participant’s academic, professional and cultural experiences in the African community settings.

The conference is for aimed at all people, especially, health policy makers, indigenous peoples, health institutions, scientists, orthodox medical practitioners, nurses, medical schools, medical associations, natural health physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, homeopathic practitioners, traditional health practitioners, botanists, foundations, hospitals, pharmaceutical and bio-technological companies, civil society organizations, faith-based organisations, legal practitioners, law schools, environmentalists, HIV-caregivers, students, people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.

Some of the topics to be covered at the conference include:

• promoting respect for traditional healing practices and a mutual understanding between practitioners of traditional medicine and conventional medicine;
• identifying the challenges, successes and failures of indigenous healing practices in the contemporary world; 
• assessing best practices in establishing the value of any traditional medicine regarding its safety, efficacy and quality; 
• resolving the differences in concepts and methodologies regarding best practices: conventional versus indigenous/alternative medicine practices; 
• the dynamics and impact of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental disorders, on the socio-economy of the developing world;
• bridging the gap between traditional and conventional methods of preventing, treating cancer, sickle cell, anaemia, diabetes, hypertension and mental disorders;
• establishing a set of guidelines to educate the populations of third-world countries on the cultivation, use, management and conservation of forest products and clean environment towards sustainable development;
• establishing a set of guidelines for the promotion and advancement of reciprocal partnerships between scientists and indigenous people on the manufacture and marketing of natural products.

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Deadline is January 15 2008

Cost per person for participation in all 5 days conference sessions, including opening banquet, conference kit, abstract book, coffee/tea, snacks and lunch daily  

For local participants

2,000,000.00 Ghanaian cedis.

Participants outside of the region

• US$1,000.00 corporation

• US$600.00 medical/legal profession

• US$350.00 traditional healer

• US$250.00 student

• Round trip air-ticket from New York JFK International Airport to Accra on North American Airlines, British Airways or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines per person is $1,650.00.
• 6 nights double room accommodation with full daily English breakfast at Fiesta Royale Hotel with round trip transfers to conference venue per person is $740.00. Add $240.00 for single supplement.
• 10-day scientific, historical and cultural field trips with lectures, including ground transportation, hotel accommodation with daily breakfast, lunch and dinners in Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and Tepa commencing from Saturday, March 15, 2008 through Tuesday, March 25, 2008 per person on double occupancy is US$1,566.00. Add US$300.00 for single supplement.

For reservations for round trip air-ticket, accommodation and ground services, 30% deposit must be received by November 30, 2007. Balance on all accounts must be received on or before January 15, 2008.