The Ghana Physician Assistants Association’s executive committee has ordered all members to forgo renewing their licences with the Medical and Dental Council for the 2023 calendar year.

Additionally, according to a guideline from the Association, no Physician Assistants should renew their licences after 2023 until the Ministry of Health lays out the specifics of how they will establish their own regulatory agency.

The Association stated that because its members’ job is essential, the employer and regulator must pay it the necessary attention and show it the respect it deserves.

The Association’s secretary, Peter Eyram Kuenyefu, said in a statement to the press that the directive’s announcement will help drive home their need for the government to act right now.

“Our employer is aware of this thing [alleged usurpation] and that it has been going on all this while because they have always been part of our communications and engagements and we had expected them, who valued our work to have put pressure on the Ministry to do the right thing.”

Mr. Eshun went on to say that his members may have decided to withdraw their services totally, but because doing so would have a severe impact on ordinary Ghanaians, they would rather suspend the renewal of their licence.

“We are following due process, and it is not our wish to go on strike. It is not our desire to strike because the good people of Ghana will be on the suffering side should we proceed to strike, but we have to take this position [of not renewing our license] because it is the only option left to us.”