Professor Rofela Combey is an entomology expert

An entomology expert and Deputy Director of the International Stingless Bee Center, Professor Rofela Combey, has stated that although bee stings are painful, they possess notable medicinal properties.

She explained that numerous studies have shown bee stings may be effective in treating certain ailments.

According to a report by 3news.com, she made these remarks during an event to mark World Bee Day, commemorated annually on May 20, 2025.

The day is set aside to promote the protection of bees and other pollinators, whose survival is essential to ecosystem health, global food security, and the fight against hunger in developing countries.

Professor Combey stated, "The pain associated with bee stings often frightens people away, however, there is abundant evidence supporting their therapeutic applications. Research is still ongoing to fully understand the medicinal potential of bee stings."

She added, "Their stings are medicinal. We are in an era of new medicine, apitherapy. Some of us don’t need much… a sting or two is enough. But the fear of bees triggers that flight response when one is stung."

Professor Combey further called on the public to learn to coexist with bees, considering their crucial role in the ecosystem.

"They are animals; we need to learn to coexist with them. Research conducted in Ghana shows we have over 150 bee species, many of which are stingless," she said.

She also revealed that her team is working with local and international partners to push for stronger legal protections and the sustainable use of bee species in Ghana.

"We are collaborating with government agencies through UCC, as well as partners in Germany and the EU, to advance this cause. Unfortunately, Ghanaian honey has been banned from the EU market, but we are working to address this," she added.

Currently, Ghana has identified over 150 bee species, but there are no specific laws in place to protect them, unlike in some other countries, the report added.

JKB/MA

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