President Mahama to Open 28th AMCOA Conference in Accra as Ghana Leads Drive for Responsive Healthcare Regulation

Ghana is set to host the 28th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) from August 23 to 27, 2026, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially open the landmark event, which marks a significant milestone as it brings together medical regulators and healthcare stakeholders from across the continent. Under the theme "Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities: Towards the Achievement of Universal Health Coverage," the conference aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure that the drive for expanded healthcare access does not compromise patient safety or the quality of clinical care.

Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana, has emphasized that the gathering will tackle the rapid evolution of the medical field, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine. He noted that regulatory systems must remain agile and responsive to these technological shifts to maintain professional standards. The discussions will also focus on "inclusive regulation," ensuring that medical standards remain robust even during humanitarian emergencies, while centering the patient at the heart of all regulatory decisions across African jurisdictions.

For the first time in AMCOA’s history, the conference will feature high-level participation from the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. This international collaboration is expected to bolster efforts toward a continental regulatory information-sharing platform. Such a system is deemed critical for managing the cross-border mobility of healthcare professionals and combating fraud, ensuring that practitioners moving between African nations meet the necessary competency and ethical requirements to protect the public.

In preparation for the event, the Medical and Dental Council has announced a temporary closure of its head office at Pantang, Accra, from Monday, August 24, to Thursday, August 27, 2026. While the council’s team will continue to work remotely and provide online services, the public and practitioners have been advised of potential service delays. This conference represents a pivotal opportunity for Ghana to lead the continental dialogue on health sector reforms, positioning the country as a hub for medical excellence and regulatory innovation in Africa.