In a speech read on his behalf during the induction ceremony in Accra, the Minister described the occasion as a significant national moment to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare workforce and frontline service delivery.

The newly inducted PAs, trained in Medical, Oral Health and Anaesthesia, join an existing professional community of about 7,000 practitioners across the country.

The Minister commended the inductees for their perseverance and congratulated their families, lecturers and mentors for their support.

He emphasised that the induction was not merely ceremonial but a renewal of commitment to quality healthcare, public trust and patient-centred service.

Mr Akandoh noted that the inductees were entering service at a critical stage in Ghana’s health sector transformation, particularly as government prepared to roll out Free Primary Healthcare.

Under the policy, he said, the system would shift focus from late treatment to early detection, prevention and continuous care.

The physician assistants, Mr Akandoh said, would play a central role in delivering frontline services, including triage, diagnosis, treatment, referrals, follow-ups and patient education at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres and district facilities.

They would be instrumental in tackling non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancers, as well as strengthening maternal and child healthcare and emergency response services.

He said the Government remained committed to improving access to quality healthcare through reforms such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, which supported patients with serious conditions not fully covered under existing packages.

Mr Akandoh highlighted the importance of professionalism, ethics and accountability, warning that misconduct by a few health workers could undermine public trust while assuring the Ministry’s continued collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council to strengthen regulation under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).

The Minister encouraged the inductees to embrace continuous professional development and serve in areas where their skills were most needed, stressing that their contribution would be vital to building a responsive and trusted healthcare system for all Ghanaians.

Dr Divine N. Banyubala, the Registrar of the Council, noted that the inductees were transitioning from supervised training to full professional responsibility.

“You are now custodians of public trust, and that trust must be earned and sustained through competence, compassion and professional integrity,” he said.

Dr Banyubala disclosed that the Council had developed a five-year strategic plan and introduced a core competency framework to guide medical and dental practice.

He highlighted a diaspora engagement policy aimed at encouraging Ghanaian health professionals abroad to contribute through mentorship, telemedicine and short-term clinical service.

Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, the Chairman of the Council, speaking on the importance of the Patient’s Charter, urged the inductees to demonstrate humility and respect in their work.

He advised them to listen carefully to patients and recognise the limits of their competence to avoid professional lapses.

The physician assistants were trained in accredited institutions, including the University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University for Health and Allied Sciences, and University for Development Studies.

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The accused, Ebenezer Sarpong, a trained Physician Assistant from a private university in Accra, is also alleged to have received payment for medical services, in violation of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).

Sarpong has pleaded not guilty to charges of willfully and falsely using the title “Dr.”, practising or professing to practise medicine or dentistry without registration, and receiving payment for such practice.

The court, presided over by Susana Eduful, granted him bail in the sum of GH₵50,000 with two sureties to be justified with landed property.

The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, told the court that the complainant is the Administrative Manager in charge of Complaints and Investigations at the Medical and Dental Council.

Sarpong, a resident of Mamprobi, is said to be the owner of Good Care Medical Centre located at Swalaba near Bukom, Accra.

According to the prosecution, on August 14, 2025, during an undercover operation, the complainant found Sarpong practising medicine without authorisation at his facility.

Four days later, the Council reported the matter to the Regional Police Command, leading to his arrest.

Police officers reportedly found him consulting patients — some on admission and others at the Outpatient Department.

During investigations, Sarpong allegedly admitted in his caution statement that, although he was a trained Physician Assistant, he had no licence to practise medicine.

Further investigations confirmed that he had been using the title “Dr.” and receiving payment for medical services, in contravention of Act 857.

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Some leaders of the unemployed Physician Assistants, who picketed the premises of the Ministry of Health (MoH), have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service.

The convenors led dozens of protesters representing about 1,500 unemployed nationwide to demand postings.

Adom News’ Kwame Anum reports about four members of the disgruntled group were also arrested together with the leadership on Tuesday morning.

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Despite the peaceful action, the members, according to the police, were arrested for flouting an order.

The police explained the protesters did not adhere to the approved routes, adding the Ministry was not part of it due to the busy nature of the area as an office for many people.

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According to them, they are being forced to renew their licenses but the government has shown little interest in giving them jobs.

The over 1,500 jobless medics who picketed the Ministry on Tuesday morning vowed they will remain there until they are posted.

In an interview with Adom News’ Kwame Anum, the disgruntled group said life after school has become unbearable for them.

They noted they live each day in frustration with their hopes dashed as the Ministry has failed to fulfil their promise of employment since 2020.

As part of their picketing, they presented a petition which was received by the Public Relations Officer, Isaac Baah Ofei.

He admitted the Health Ministry is aware of their plights but was waiting to get clearance from the Ministry of Finance to facilitate their employment.

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Mr Baah, therefore, appealed to the group to suspend their action.

The group, however, shot down the call, stating it was not encouraging.