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Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu …first Natural Medicine Lawyer in Africa

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• Prof. Nyarkotey

Prof. Nyarkotey

Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a dis­tinguished naturopathic Professor and an esteemed advocate for traditional and complementary medicine, has made history by becoming the first naturopath in Africa to be called to the Gambia Bar.

Known for his exception­al dedication to advancing healthcare through both legal and technological frameworks, Prof. Nyarkotey is pioneering a new era in traditional and naturopathic medicine.

• Prof. Nyarkotey with Dr. Chris Beyere,
NDC MP for Techiman South
• Prof. Nyarkotey with Dr. Chris Beyere, NDC MP for Techiman South

At just 39 years old, he is already transforming health­care across the continent and using his legal expertise to shape a regulatory framework for traditional and comple­mentary medicine, bringing a new level of professional credibility and public trust to the field.

Prof. Nyarkotey flanked loved ones
Prof. Nyarkotey flanked loved ones

In addition to his recent legal accomplishment, Prof. Nyarkotey serves as the pres­ident of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology, Ghana’s first naturopathic medical school, which he founded to provide education in holistic health and technology.

His leadership extends fur­ther: he led a team to develop Ghana’s first National Occu­pational Standards in natu­ropathy and holistic medicine at the HND and BTech levels under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Edu­cation and Training (TVET).

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• 13th Call to the Bar in Gambia group
• 13th Call to the Bar in Gambia group

These achievements, along with his work as General Secretary of the Ghana Alter­native Medical Practitioner Association (GAMPA) and as part of the research advocacy team for the World Naturo­pathic Federation in Canada, underscore his commitment to raising standards and advancing the professional development of alternative medicine across Africa.

In the Gambia, Prof. Nyarkotey has support­ed traditional healers and pioneered evi­dence-based naturo­pathic medicine. He also used his legal training days to raise awareness of Gambia’s forgotten herbs and made them popular through his scien­tific writing.

He has authored so many legal com­mentaries on the regulatory legislative framework on tra­ditional and natu­ropathic medicines in the Gambia and Africa.

“With my legal qualifi­cations, I aim to work with various African governments and health organisations to create a unified framework that supports traditional and complementary medicine,” said Prof. Nyarkotey Obu.

• Traditional Healers Association of Gambia with Prof. Nyarkotey
• Traditional Healers Association of Gambia with Prof. Nyarkotey

“There is a growing demand for these practices, yet the lack of regulation often leads to misuse and public skep­ticism. My goal is to bring about a change in how these treatments are perceived and implemented, safeguarding public health and honouring African traditions,” he added.

Prof. Nyarkotey is not only a renowned Naturopath, but also doubles as a Chartered Health Economist and Char­tered Management Consul­tant.

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• Prof. Nyarkotey
• Prof. Nyarkotey

He is also pursuing a sec­ond MPhil/PhD in Law and Development at the Institute of Development and Technology Man­agement (IDTM) in Cape Coast, Ghana.

His research focuses on med­ical negligence and Alterna­tive Dispute Resolution (ADR), an area of critical impor­tance for African healthcare. By pro­moting ADR, he aims to provide pathways for fair, non-litigious resolutions, protecting both practitioners and patients within traditional medicine.

Prof. Nyarkotey is also at the forefront of exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional and naturopathic medicine, investigating ways AI can revolutionise the de­livery and personalisation of natural medicines.

This approach promises new, tech-enhanced treatment options for underserved com­munities, enabling traditional healers to leverage data-driv­en insights for better patient outcomes.

As a deeply committed Christian, Prof. Nyarkotey bal­ances his professional pursuits with a strong personal faith. His determination and leader­ship have made him a trailbla­ser, setting a new standard for traditional and naturopathic medicine in Africa.

His upcoming consultancy firm aims to unite healers and legal experts, offering regula­tory and technological sup­port, as well as legal protec­tion for traditional healers.

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Prof. Nyarkotey’s journey, from founding Ghana’s first naturopathic school to join­ing the Gambia Bar, reflects his drive to secure a place for traditional and naturo­pathic medicine in Africa’s healthcare landscape, and building a future where it is both accessible and regulat­ed. His visionary leadership is helping ensure that traditional medicine will be a credible, trusted, and vital part of healthcare across Africa.

Entertainment

Dierre Doors names King Promise as Brand Ambassador for Ghana campaign

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Italian premium security door manufacturer Dierre S.p.A. has named award-winning Ghanaian Afrobeats and Highlife artiste King Promise (Gregory Bortey Newman) as the face of its new Ghana and West Africa marketing campaign.

The partnership, managed by Regiments Management Company Limited, forms part of Dierre’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the West African market.

The two-week campaign, themed “Secure What Matters,” will run across digital, outdoor and influencer platforms, with King Promise featuring in a campaign film showcasing Dierre’s Prestige and Synergy security door ranges.

“Home is everything. It is where you protect the people and things that matter most. Dierre builds doors that reflect exactly that security, quality and style without compromise. I am proud to represent a brand that stands for those values,” King Promise said.

Founded in Italy, Dierre is a global manufacturer of armoured security doors, interior doors and fire-protection systems. Its products carry international anti-burglary certifications across Classes 3, 4 and 5, with the company producing hundreds of thousands of doors, locks and safes annually.

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King Promise is one of Ghana’s leading Afrobeats and Highlife artistes, known for his distinctive sound, international collaborations and growing global audience.

The partnership combines Dierre’s security and design expertise with King Promise’s influence in contemporary African music and culture, as the brand expands its consumer engagement in Ghana and across West Africa.

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From a room to a global enterprise: The Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye story

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• Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye
• Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye

From humble beginnings to building an enterprise with global ambitions, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s journey is a story of discipline, independence, resilience and the belief that businesses should be built to outlive their founders.

Long before he became the Group Chairman of M&C Group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye was building from modest beginnings.

Mr Vanderpuye recieves a citation at the 100 Most Notable African Leadership Excellence Awards

His entrepreneurial journey did not start in a sophisticated corporate office or with a large team behind him.

At one stage, he was working from his room with limited resources, focused on turning an idea into a viable business.

That beginning became an important part of his philosophy: build the business first, then let the infrastructure grow with it.

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Michael Bartlett-Vanderpuye

Michael’s early experiences shaped his determination to become an entrepreneur. After university and periods of professional employment, including banking, accounting, marketing, packaging and logistics, he developed a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how different industries connect.

 His exposure to mining advisory work, property and other commercial opportunities broadened his perspective and helped him identify opportunities beyond a single sector.

But the journey was far from easy.

He recalls the uncertainty of sending proposal after proposal without knowing which one would eventually open a door.

Even after establishing an office in East Legon, some people assumed he was working for someone else because they could not imagine that the business belonged to him.

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The confidence and corporate presence associated with success today were built through years of uncertainty, rejection, experimentation and persistence.

His evolution from working out of a room to leading M&C Group reflects a broader philosophy that has guided his business life: do not build an image before you build the substance.

For Michael, entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a company. It is about learning how to turn knowledge, relationships, opportunities and resources into sustainable value.

He believes professionals in every field can develop an entrepreneurial mindset by creating assets, building networks, investing in opportunities and developing additional sources of value alongside their careers.

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That philosophy has influenced the way he approaches business expansion. Rather than viewing companies as isolated entities, Michael sees opportunities to create connections between industries, people and services.

Strategic partnerships, in his view, can create greater value than treating every other business as a competitor.

His approach has also been shaped by research and international exposure. He argues that entrepreneurs must understand the markets they enter rather than simply copy businesses they see succeeding elsewhere.

Behind every successful enterprise, he believes, are structures, regulations, relationships, research and decisions that may not be immediately visible from the outside.

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As his business interests have grown, so has his ambition. M&C Group represents a significant chapter in that evolution, reflecting his drive to build an enterprise that extends beyond a single venture.

His vision is rooted not merely in personal wealth, but in creating businesses capable of generating employment, developing people, building partnerships and contributing to the wider economy.

Michael is particularly concerned about the role of the private sector in addressing unemployment and creating sustainable opportunities. For him, a successful business should ultimately do more than enrich its owner. It should employ people, develop skills, support suppliers and create opportunities that extend beyond the founder.

That long-term perspective is central to his understanding of success.

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He is cautious about equating visibility with achievement. In an age where social media can make a business appear larger than it is, Michael believes the real measure of an enterprise lies in its systems, customers, assets, operations and results. The brand should be supported by substance.

His personal journey has therefore become a lesson in patience and discipline. The man who once had to convince people that the business was actually his now speaks about building systems, protecting capital, understanding markets and thinking beyond the immediate reward.

And his ambitions do not stop with the present generation.

Michael describes legacy as something that should extend beyond his children to future generations. His objective is to build something sustainable-something that can continue creating value after he is no longer at the centre of it.

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From a modest room and limited resources to the boardroom and the development of a growing business group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s story is ultimately about building before displaying, learning before expanding and creating something designed to last.

His journey is a reminder that global ambition does not necessarily begin with global resources. Sometimes, it begins with little more than an idea, discipline, persistence and the willingness to start where you are. – MyStoryMagazine

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