Medical Council Uncovers Fake Credentials Among Foreign-Trained Doctors in Ghana
Accra, Ghana — The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has revealed that several individuals claiming to be foreign-trained medical professionals submitted fraudulent documentation to gain approval for practice in Ghana.
During a press briefing in Accra, MDC Registrar Dr. Divine N. Banyubala disclosed that four cases of suspected document forgery are currently under investigation. One particularly alarming case involves the spouse of a diplomat, who allegedly submitted fake qualifications purportedly from Nigeria and Ireland. Another individual reportedly presented falsified documents from Ukraine to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The remaining cases involve forgery of permanent medical credentials and exam results.
Dr. Banyubala emphasized that the MDC’s enhanced institutional checks and collaboration with international regulatory bodies were instrumental in detecting these irregularities. “Our collaborative efforts and rigorous document vetting successfully identified clear signs of forgery and fraudulent misrepresentation,” he stated.
Under Section 31 of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857), all foreign-trained practitioners—including medical and dental professionals, physician assistants, and anesthetists—must submit valid documentation to register legally to practice in Ghana.
Quack Practitioners Face Arrests
In addition to the forged-document investigations, the MDC, working with police, has arrested four individuals accused of operating as quack doctors:
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Kate Baidoo, arrested at Osag Medical Centre in Ga West for allegedly practising without a license and unable to verify her physician assistant credentials from Radford University.
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Ebenezer Koomson, who operated unlawfully at E&E Medical Centre in Gomoa Afransi despite not passing the required licentiate exam. A supervising physician, Dr Stephen Ann Arthur, was also arrested for aiding this malpractice.
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Innocent Tagbovi, detained earlier this year for practising without registration at Mighty Clinic in Madina.
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Ebenezer Sarpong, arrested on August 18 in Accra’s Bukom area for practising despite not receiving certification from Radford University.
Dr. Banyubala revealed that the MDC is investigating nine more cases, while four cases have already been forwarded to the courts.
He urged the public to assist in maintaining health system integrity by reporting suspicious or unqualified practitioners.
Why This Matters
| Insight | Significance |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding Patients | Exposing forgery and unlicensed practice protects patient welfare and trust in the healthcare system. |
| Institutional Vigilance | The Council’s proactive investigations highlight its commitment to upholding professional standards. |
| Call for Public Participation | Citizens are encouraged to help police the profession and ensure only qualified practitioners serve. |
Source : My News Ghana
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