Ghanaian leaders call for modernized medical regulation at AMCOA conference

At the 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Accra, Ghanaian leaders called for modernized and harmonized medical regulation across the continent.

President John Dramani Mahama emphasized that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires regulatory frameworks anchored in patient safety, ethics, and accountability. He noted that regulation must be responsive to rapid changes, including digital health transformations, artificial intelligence, and shifting disease burdens. To support domestic medical regulation, the President directed additional funding for the completion of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana’s new Head Office Complex.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh urged African regulators to fast-track continent-wide standards for telemedicine, AI, and cross-border clinical practice. He argued that regulatory systems must be responsive in speed, reach, rigor, and scope to ensure that healthcare access is matched by professional competence. Akandoh also noted that Africa’s health workforce grew from 4.3 million professionals in 2019 to 5.72 million by 2024.