AMCOA 2026: Ghana leads push for stronger healthcare regulation across Africa

The Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) is set to host its 28th Annual Conference in Accra, Ghana, from August 23-27, 2026. The conference aims to strengthen healthcare regulation and improve patient safety across the African continent. The conference theme, "Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities: Towards the Achievement of Universal Health Coverage," highlights the importance of adapting regulatory systems to the evolving healthcare landscape.

Dr. Divine Banyubala, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana, emphasized that healthcare regulatory systems must be responsive to changes in healthcare delivery, such as advancements in artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and digital health. He stressed that patient safety should not be compromised due to developments like the movement of healthcare professionals across borders, emerging diseases, and humanitarian emergencies.

During the conference, discussions will focus on ensuring professional mobility is safe, transparent, and properly managed. Dr. Banyubala called for stronger cooperation among African regulatory authorities to verify practitioners' qualifications and professional standing. He believes that a continental regulatory information-sharing platform could enhance practitioner verification, combat fraud, and strengthen public protection across African jurisdictions.

Inclusive regulation will also be a key discussion point. Dr. Banyubala emphasized that inclusiveness should not compromise professional standards, and healthcare regulation should be fair, transparent, and responsive while ensuring only competent and ethical professionals are licensed to practice. The conference will also address regulation during humanitarian emergencies, acknowledging that flexibility must not lead to a compromise in professional and ethical standards.

Ghana's hosting of the conference offers an opportunity for the country to contribute to continental leadership in healthcare regulation while learning from other African countries' experiences. The success of AMCOA 2026 will be measured by practical improvements in healthcare regulation across Africa.