Stories and facts
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) stands as the foremost representative body for physicians, surgeons, and dentists across Ghana.
Established in 1958, the GMA is divided into ten regional divisions, reflecting the nation's administrative regions as of the end of 2018. The origins of organized medical practice in Ghana date back to the Gold Coast era. In 1933, the Gold Coast Medical Practitioners Union was formed by three pioneering doctors: Frederick Victor Nanka-Bruce, president and spokesman, C.E. Reindorf, and W.A.C. Nanka-Bruce. J.E. Hutton Mills took on the role of secretary .
Establishing an African government under colonial rule in 1951, the Ghana branch of the British Medical Association was inaugurated in January 1953, with Nanka-Bruce again as president. The merging of these two associations on January 4, 1958, led to the birth of the Ghana Medical Association.
The inauguration ceremony, graced by Kwame Nkrumah, took place at the Arden Hall of the Ambassador Hotel in Accra. Charles Easmon was elected as the first president of the newly formed GMA. The GMA is not an isolated entity; it actively collaborates with several international medical organizations, including the Confederation of African Medical Associations and Societies, the Commonwealth Medical Association, and the World Medical Association.
The National Executive Council of the GMA convenes bi-monthly and comprises key representatives, including chairpersons from each of the ten regional divisions, members from the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, representatives from the Ghana Dental Association, and members of the Junior Doctors Society.
The GMA is also known for its publication, the Ghana Medical Journal, which serves as a platform for sharing medical research and advancements in healthcare practices. Since 2017, Frank Ankobea has been serving as the president of the GMA. By the end of 2018, the association had seen 22 presidents lead its efforts in advancing medical practice in Ghana.
The Ghana Medical Association continues to play a pivotal role in the healthcare sector of Ghana, building on a rich history and striving towards a future of medical excellence and innovation.
