FGMSA challenges implementation of common registration examination for medical graduates
The MDC announced on April 18, 2026, through a letter with Ref. MDC/20/V1/165, that the CRE would commence in 2026, setting out examination periods, eligibility requirements and other implementation arrangements.
The Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA) has raised concerns about the implementation of the Common Registration Examination (CRE) by the Medical and Dental Council (MDC). FGMSA, representing over 6,000 medical and dental students, supports the MDC’s objective of consistent national standards but questions the necessity of a separate examination if final qualifying exams are already harmonized and supervised.
The MDC announced the CRE in April 2026, setting examination dates, eligibility and implementation details. FGMSA had requested a meeting with officials to discuss concerns, but no meeting was arranged. The federation agrees on the need for a trustworthy medical and dental education system but proposes common competency standards and assessment frameworks instead of a separate CRE for all locally trained graduates.
They argue that addressing variations in final examination quality should be the primary focus. FGMSA also questions the legality of the CRE under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857), specifically sections 27(f) and 30, and seeks regulatory clarification. Beyond the exam, FGMSA worries about the academic, financial, and psychological impacts on students, who must retake the CRE multiple times if they fail, before progressing to housemanship.
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