The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) represents physicians, surgeons and dentists working throughout Ghana. It was established in 1958 and is divided into ten divisions representing each region of Ghana as at the end of 2018.
| Established | 4 January 1958 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Accra |
| Merger of | Gold Coast Medical Practitioners Union & British Medical Association (Ghana branch) |
Professional title | Medical association |
| Headquarters | Accra, Ghana |
| Coordinates | 5°32′20″N 0°13′48″W / 5.539°N 0.230°W |
Membership | 1700 |
Official language | English |
President | Dr. (Med) Frank Serebour |
Vice President | Prof.(Med) Ernest Yorke |
General Secretary | Dr. (Dent) Richard Selormey |
Treasurer | Dr. Elizabeth Esi Crentsil |
| Affiliations | World Medical Association Commonwealth Medical Association Confederation of African Medical Associations and Societies |
| Website | ghanamedassoc |
History
editThe earliest medical organisation of medical staff was during the Gold Coast era when the Gold Coast Medical Practitioners Union was formed in 1933. This was founded by three doctors, Frederick Victor Nanka-Bruce who was the president and spokesman, C.E. Reindorf and W.A.C. Nanka-Bruce. J.E. Hutton Mills was the secretary. Following the establishment of an African government under colonial rule in 1951, a Ghana branch of the British Medical Association was formed in January 1953.[1] This also had Nanka-Bruce as its first president. Both associations were merged to form the Ghana Medical Association on 4 January 1958. It was inaugurated by Kwame Nkrumah at the Arden Hall of the Ambassador Hotel in Accra.[2] Charles Easmon was elected as the first president of the GMA.[3]
Affiliations
edit- Confederation of African Medical Associations and Societies
- Commonwealth Medical Association
- World Medical Association
National Executive Council
editThis council meets every other month. It is made up of the following persons:[4]
- Chairpersons of each of the divisions (numbering ten at end of 2018)
- Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners
- Ghana Dental Association
- Junior Doctors Society
Publications
editMeetings and Conferences
edit66th Annual Conference 2024
editIn November 2024, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) held its 66th Annual General Conference in the Volta Region, focusing on improving internet access for healthcare through collaboration between the government and telecom companies. GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour highlighted telemedicine’s potential to enhance healthcare access and efficiency, especially in rural areas.[6]
The conference also noted barriers to telemedicine, such as limited internet infrastructure and regulatory concerns. Additionally, members discussed the benefits of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and recommended establishing standards to support its integration into healthcare.[7][8]
Past presidents of the GMA
editThe president of the GMA since 2017 has been Frank Ankobea. There have been 22 past presidents as at 2018.[9]
- Charles Easmon (1958–1962)
- J. A. Schandorf (1962–1963)
- Matthew Anum Barnor (1963–1966)
- Silas R .A. Dodu (1966–1968)
- Emmanuel Evans-Anfom (1968–1970)
- H. S. Bannerman (1970–1974)
- J. T. Glover (1974–1978)
- Cornelius Odarquaye Quarcoopome (1978–1980)
- K. Dsane-Selby (1980–1983)
- J. O. M. Pobee (1983–1986)
- Harold H. Phillips (1986–1990)
- Jonathan H. Addy (1990–1992)
- Kwame Addo-Kufuor (1992–1995)
- Sir. G. W. Brobby (1995-1997)
- J. K. Kwakye-Maafo (1997–1999)
- Agyeman Badu Akosa (1999–2001)
- Jacob Plange-Rhule (2001–2003)
- Yaw Adu-Gyamfi (2003–2005)
- Francis Adu-Ababio (2005–2007)
- E. A. Adom Winful (2007–2011)
- Kwabena Opoku-Adusei (2011–2015)
- Ebenezer Ewusi-Emmim (2015–2017)
- Frank Ankobea - (2017-2021)
- Dr. Frank Serebour - (2021 - 2024)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "About GMA". Official website. Ghana Medical Association. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ Kesse (4 January 2022). "Ghana Medical Association(GMA) inaugurated Today in History -". Ghanaian Museum. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GHANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION". Official website. Ghana Medical Association. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ "NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE". Official website. Ghana Medical Association. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ "Ghana Medical Journal". Official journal website. Ghana Medical Association. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ "Ghana Medical Association (GMA) 24th Annual Public Lecture event details". Continuous Education Services (CES). Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ GNA (2024-11-09). "GMA is not a subset of organised labour — Dr. Serebour". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "GMA pushes for tech-driven healthcare amid independence from Organized Labour". 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Past Presidents". Official website. Ghana Medical Association. Retrieved 13 June 2019.