Ghana is hosting the 28th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Accra from August 23 to 27, 2026. This significant event gathers medical regulators and healthcare stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss critical issues in healthcare.
The conference theme is “Regulation for Safer Communities Towards Universal Health Coverage.” It aims to strengthen the regulation of doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals across the continent. Discussions will focus on ensuring professionals are properly trained, registered, and uphold ethical standards for patient safety.
This gathering aligns with Ghana’s broader efforts to reform its health sector and enhance its leadership role in continental healthcare regulation. The nation has been actively developing managed migration policies for healthcare professionals. This ensures that practitioners moving across borders meet appropriate regulatory requirements, protecting patient safety.
Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar for the Medical and Dental Council, emphasized the conference's importance. He stated that effective healthcare regulation is crucial for achieving universal health coverage. “People must have access, but also access to basic quality and safe healthcare,” Dr. Banyubala explained, highlighting that access without quality has limited value.
The conference will address the increasing movement of healthcare professionals across African countries. A key discussion point is the African Healthcare Practitioner Regulatory Policy Outlook. This policy examines how regulatory systems can manage the mobility of healthcare workers while safeguarding patients. Dr. Banyubala noted that professional mobility is not a problem if properly managed, ensuring practitioners meet regulatory standards.
High-level participation underscores the event's significance. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to perform the opening ceremony on Monday, August 24. The International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) and the World Health Organisation African Region (WHO Afro-Region) will also participate. This marks the first time these two institutions attend an AMCOA conference in this manner, according to Dr. Banyubala. The Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament will close the conference on August 27.
The event provides Ghana with a platform to showcase its health sector reforms and contributions to healthcare regulation. Discussions will cover health sovereignty and innovative approaches to managing health worker migration. Ensuring appropriate training for healthcare professionals remains a core focus. This conference reinforces Ghana's commitment to improving healthcare standards and patient safety across Africa.