Ghana’s healthcare system is set to benefit from the addition of 925 newly inducted Physician Assistants (PAs), but government says its focus goes beyond numbers to strengthening the profession through major reforms.
Speaking at the induction ceremony in Accra, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu, revealed that the government is restructuring PA training to ensure maturity and better clinical exposure. The new approach shifts from direct post-secondary entry to a post-basic model, requiring applicants to first acquire training and experience in allied health fields before advancing into the Physician Assistant programme.
Dr. Ayensu further disclosed plans to create a career development pathway for outstanding PAs to transition into training as medical doctors or dentists. According to her, this aligns with Ghana’s long-term health workforce strategy and reflects the growing demand for versatile healthcare professionals.
“This is part of government’s vision to ensure that the PA profession is not only strengthened but also positioned as a reliable bridge in delivering quality healthcare to Ghanaians,” she said.
Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC), Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, reminded the inductees that their provisional registration only permits supervised practice during internship, stressing that their competence will be assessed before full licensure is granted. “From today, you bear primary professional responsibility for the lives entrusted to you. With that privilege comes high expectations,” he cautioned.
Chairman of the 11th Board of the MDC, Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa, advised the new PAs to treat patients with dignity and equality, urging them to recognize the limits of their competence and to embrace referrals as a professional strength rather than a weakness.
The 925 inductees were drawn from institutions including KNUST, University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, College of Health and Well-being (Kintampo), Presbyterian University (Agogo), and other accredited local and foreign training schools.
The reforms, coupled with the fresh intake of PAs, signal what officials describe as a crucial step in reshaping Ghana’s healthcare delivery to meet changing population needs.
