Accra High Court halts registration exam for 792 medical doctors

The Human Rights Court 2 in Accra has issued an interim injunction restraining the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) from conducting the Stage 1 Common Registration Examination (CRE) for 792 newly trained medical doctors. The court order, granted following an application by the Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA), prevents the council from making the examination a prerequisite for the provisional registration of these graduates. The ruling also affects the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Health, prohibiting the enforcement of the exam requirement while the case is being heard.

The legal challenge was prompted by concerns from the FGMSA regarding the fairness and legality of the registration process. The examination was originally scheduled to take place on October 22, 2026. By granting the injunction, the court has effectively suspended the assessment, ensuring that the status quo is maintained until the substantive issues raised by the medical students are fully resolved. The FGMSA stated that professional decisions impacting the careers of medical graduates must adhere to strict legal standards and fair administrative practices.

The association has urged all parties involved to respect the court's decision and refrain from any actions that would contravene the injunction. This development is seen as a significant step for the 792 doctors who are seeking their provisional licenses to practice. The FGMSA has committed to providing further updates through its official channels as the legal proceedings continue, highlighting the ongoing importance of transparency in the regulation of the medical profession in Ghana.