FGMSA Opposes Mandatory Common Registration Examination for Ghanaian Medical Graduates
Medical students' federation says proposed CRE duplicates existing MDC assessments and calls for engagement with President Mahama.
The Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA) has formally opposed the government’s plan to introduce a stand-alone Common Registration Examination (CRE) for locally trained medical and dental graduates.
In a press statement dated October 1, 2026, FGMSA said the new exam would duplicate assessments already administered and supervised by the Medical and Dental Council (MDC). The group represents more than 6,000 students across the country and backs MDC’s drive to harmonise final qualifying examinations, but questions the need for an extra registration test.
The MDC had announced in April 2026 that the CRE would begin in 2026, outlining eligibility rules and examination periods. FGMSA said it wrote to the Council seeking stakeholder engagement, but no forum was provided.
The Federation stressed that its objection is not about standards but about redundancy. It argued that if quality varies across institutions, the solution should be harmonised exams, common competency benchmarks, standardised OSCE formats and stronger external moderation, not a separate CRE.
FGMSA pointed out that the MDC’s June 1, 2026 directive already requires accredited schools to align their final exams with national standards, adopt uniform OSCE structures and join Council-led examiner training. It asked what extra competence a CRE would add beyond these measures.
Legal clarity was also demanded. The group cited Sections 27(f) and 30 of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857), which empower the MDC to set registration exams and allow exemptions, and said the CRE’s legal footing needs definition.
Student welfare was another concern. FGMSA warned that an additional fee‑bearing exam would increase financial strain, extend preparation stress and could jeopardise graduates’ mental health and career entry.
The MDC’s April notice allows five attempts within three years, with the first try due within one year of graduation. FGMSA said the duplication issue persists even if the exam were free.
While supporting stronger MDC oversight of all assessments, FGMSA does not back a blanket CRE for every graduate where existing, nationally harmonised final exams can already demonstrate required competencies.
The Federation called instead for a review of the entire medical education pipeline, from entry to exit, to ensure quality assurance is not overly focused on graduation alone.
FGMSA announced it will soon petition President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Health, and will meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health. It also plans to consult other stakeholders through institutional and policy channels to foster an evidence‑based dialogue on the policy.
The group remains open to constructive talks with the MDC and other partners as the debate moves forward.
