Report filed by Pharm. Emmanuel Oppong

Accra, March 30, 2026 — A high-level meeting at the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has resulted in decisive steps to address concerns over a disputed directive affecting pharmacy practice in the region.

The engagement brought together leadership of the Government & Hopsital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), officials from the GHS Greater Accra Directorate led by Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Robert Amesiya, as well as the President and Executive Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), Pharm. Paul Owusu Donkor, PhD and Rev. Dennis Sena Awitty, who attended in support of the hospital pharmacists.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Amesiya clarified that his office had already corrected the earlier characterization of pharmacists as non-clinicians in a formal response to GHOSPA. A representative from the Office of the Director of Pharmaceutical Services further acknowledged that the directive should have undergone broader stakeholder consultation prior to its release to ensure consistency with established standards of pharmacy practice.

Addressing the meeting, GHOSPA National Chairman Dr. (Pharm) Emmanuel Owusu Owiafe emphasised the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including the Pharmacy Council and senior pharmacy leadership within the GHS. He highlighted provisions within the directive that were inconsistent with existing legal and professional frameworks, and reaffirmed GHOSPA’s position in defending the role of pharmacists—particularly their long-standing oversight of pharmacy stores within health facilities.

Speaking on behalf of the wider profession, PSGH President Pharm. Paul Owusu Donkor expressed strong dissatisfaction with the directive, emphasizing the indispensable role of pharmacists in all aspects of medicines management. He reiterated that pharmacist oversight in pharmacy stores remains non-negotiable, a position echoed by other pharmacists present at the meeting.

In a constructive response, Dr. Amesiya announced immediate and far-reaching measures to resolve the issue. He disclosed that he had already convened a meeting with pharmacy managers across the region and tasked them with fully revising the directive in alignment with established pharmacy practice standards. The revised document is expected to be submitted to the Director-General of GHS by April 1, 2026.

Additionally, he confirmed that all medical superintendents in the region had been instructed to suspend implementation of the earlier directive with immediate effect, pending the issuance of the revised version. He further assured participants that future directives would be developed through inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Significantly, the Regional Director directed that any pharmacist who is denied their rightful oversight of pharmacy stores should report directly to his office for prompt intervention.

The meeting marks a critical step in reinforcing professional standards and collaborative governance within Ghana’s health system, with stakeholders expressing optimism about a more consultative and aligned approach moving forward.