The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed grave concern over the continued suspension of a vehicle importation tax waiver for public-sector doctors and dentists, resulting in numerous vehicles being stranded at ports and accumulating significant demurrage fees.
In a letter issued on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour and General Secretary Dr. Richard Selormey revealed that the National Executive Council (NEC) convened an urgent meeting on March 29 to address the growing crisis. The waiver, which was agreed upon as part of the 2024 Conditions of Service, had been in effect only briefly before being suspended in July 2024, despite repeated calls for its reinstatement by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.
The suspension has left numerous cars stuck at ports, with the affected vehicles now facing the risk of confiscation due to escalating demurrage charges. The GMA had previously warned its members in February to halt any new waiver applications, but those whose vehicles were already at the ports are now facing financial hardship and uncertainty.
In light of this, the NEC has demanded an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health to discuss the immediate reinstatement of the waiver and the release of the stranded vehicles. The association has threatened further action if the issue is not resolved promptly, underscoring the waiver’s importance in attracting and retaining medical professionals in the public sector.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that this agreement is upheld,” the GMA emphasized, calling the waiver a critical benefit for doctors and dentists. The association also noted that they would hold an emergency post-meeting review to decide the next steps, stressing the wider implications of the standoff for public-sector workers in Ghana.
This ongoing dispute highlights broader concerns about the fulfillment of contractual obligations for public-sector workers, with doctors urging the government to honor its commitments in order to retain skilled personnel in the health sector.
