Accra High Court halts registration exam for 792 medical doctors

The Human Rights Court 2 in Accra has granted 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 ruling follows a legal challenge initiated by the Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA), which sought to stop the council from requiring the examination as a prerequisite for provisional registration. The court's order effectively suspends the examination, which had been scheduled to take place on October 22, 2026.

The injunction also extends to the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Health, preventing any of the defendants from enforcing the exam requirement until the substantive case is heard and resolved. The FGMSA argued that the introduction of the registration process must adhere to strict legal standards and maintain fairness for all medical graduates. This temporary stay ensures that the professional futures of the 792 doctors are not adversely affected by the exam while the legality of its implementation is scrutinized by the judiciary.

In a statement following the court’s decision, the FGMSA emphasized that professional decisions impacting medical students and graduates must be grounded in transparency and due process. The association urged all affected parties to adhere strictly to the court's ruling and maintain calm while the matter is being resolved. The FGMSA has pledged to provide regular updates to its members through official communication channels as the legal proceedings continue.

This development marks a significant pause in the Medical and Dental Council's efforts to implement the Common Registration Examination for new practitioners. As the case moves forward, the outcome is expected to clarify the regulatory requirements for medical registration in Ghana and the extent of the council’s authority in establishing new examination protocols for newly qualified doctors.